Israeli minister announces settlement plans 'to thwart Palestinian state'
Israeli minister announces settlement plans 'to thwart Palestinian state'
Far-right Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich made the remarks as he announced approval for 3,401 new homes in the controversial E1 area project in the occupied West Bank.
Read the full article on BBC World
Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The article is mostly accurate, reporting on the Israeli minister's announcement of settlement plans. The claim about the number of new homes is supported by the article. The bias is moderate, stemming from the framing of the issue and word choices like 'controversial' and the focus on the 'thwarting' of a Palestinian state.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim: Far-right Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich announced approval for 3,401 new homes in the controversial E1 area project in the occupied West Bank.
- Verification Source #1: Al Jazeera reports that Smotrich announced plans to expand settlements to thwart the establishment of a Palestinian state.
- Assessment: Supported. The claim about Smotrich's announcement is supported by Al Jazeera.
- Claim: The settlement plans are designed 'to thwart Palestinian state'.
- Verification Source #1: Al Jazeera quotes Smotrich saying the settlement 'buries' the Palestinian state and is designed to thwart its establishment.
- Verification Source #2: The Guardian reports that the Defence minister says the move 'prevents establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger Israel'.
- Verification Source #3: BBC reports that Palestinians are calling for international pressure to thwart Israeli plans.
- Assessment: Supported. Multiple sources confirm the connection between settlement expansion and preventing a Palestinian state.
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- Source 1: "Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has announced ... thwart that effort,” he said, according to Israel National News.
- Source 2: Defence minister says move 'prevents establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger Israel'