Israeli Cabinet ministers reject US criticism on settlements
By ISABEL DEBRE
Associated Press
JERUSALEM (AP) — Two ultranationalist Israeli Cabinet ministers have defiantly dismissed a growing chorus of global condemnation of new Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank, instead promising to double down and legalize dozens of wildcat outposts in the occupied territory. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to expand Israeli authority in the lands that the Palestinians seek for a future state — less than a day after the United States expressed opposition to the move and as four European countries added their criticism and expressed grave concern.
