Israeli defence minister visits former settlement, mocks EU Palestinian statehood bid

Israeli Defence Minister Yisrael Katz escalated tensions on Friday after storming the evacuated “Tarsala” settlement site near the Palestinian town of Jaba’, just south of Jenin.

Accompanied by Israeli forces and two helicopters, Katz visited the area as occupation troops locked down nearby roads, set up a checkpoint at Ajja’s entrance, and searched passing vehicles, Palestinian news agency Wafa reported.

The “Tarsala” site—once the location of the Sanur settlement—was among several West Bank colonies dismantled in 2005, including Homesh, Ganim, Kadim, and the Dotan-Arava military post.

Katz used the visit to lash out at France and its allies, who have called for the recognition of a Palestinian state.

“The expansion of settlements in the West Bank is a message to Macron and his friends that they will recognise a Palestinian state on paper, and that this paper will end up in the trash can of history,” Katz said, according to Israeli media.

“Settlement in the West Bank will grow stronger, and Israel will flourish and prosper. Don’t threaten us with sanctions. You won’t bring us to our knees, and we won’t submit to threats.”