Israel minister awarded prize for supporting West Bank settlements

An Israeli government minister has received an award from West Bank settlers in acknowledgement of his support for the colonisation of the occupied Palestinian territory.

According to pro-settler outlet Arutz Sheva, Housing Minister Yoav Galant was awarded a prize at a ceremony in Beit El settlement “for his role in developing Judea and Samaria [the West Bank]”.

In his acceptance speech, Galant praised Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank “and said that their presence in the area was contributing to Israel’s security”.

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“It is necessary to say in a loud and clear voice. The realisation of Zionism in the Land of Israel is the settlement in Judea, Samaria, the Jordan Valley [three areas of the West Bank], the Arava, the Negev and the Galilee,” Galant declared.

“This is the formula that has been proven by Zionism over the last 120 years and especially the last 50,” the minister added.

“The settlers in Judea and Samaria [the West Bank] are an expression and a symbol of the success of the Zionist enterprise,” Galant affirmed.