'We need solutions': Palestinians in West Bank fear recognition is not enough13 hours ago Share Save Tom Bennett Ramallah, occupied West Bank Share SaveGetty Images Israel's prime minister has insisted that "there will be no Palestinian state"In Ramallah - the de facto Palestinian capital of the occupied West Bank - many fear Western recognition of Palestinian statehood is too little, too late. Israel has built about 160 settlements housing 700,000 Jews since it occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem during the 1967 Middle East war. Palestinians say short journeys can now last hours. Rights groups say it would effectively split the West Bank in two, destroying hopes of a contiguous Palestinian state. "Whoever in the world is trying to recognise a Palestinian state today will receive our answer on the ground," Smotrich said last month.