Israel allocates $431 million for 34 new West Bank settlements

Israel's government announced Tuesday it allocated $431 million last month to fund the establishment of 34 new West Bank settlements. The security cabinet's decision, formulated by the Prime Minister's Office and implemented by the Settlements and Housing ministries, will create "pioneer neighborhoods" with prefabricated homes, roads, and infrastructure.

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We are strengthening the security of the State of Israel, killing the idea of establishing a terrorist state in the heart of the country, and strengthening our hold on the homeland in Judea and Samaria.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who heads the Religious Zionism party drawing support from settlements, declared the decision historic and a "day of celebration for Israel and settlements." He stated the move strengthens Israel's security and its hold on the West Bank, referred to by its biblical name, Judea and Samaria. Settlements Minister Orit Strock called it the largest settlement decision in Zionist history.

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There has never been a Zionist-settlement decision of this size in the whole history of Zionism since it was founded.

The Israeli government has approved 103 new West Bank settlements during its tenure, an unprecedented number. The expedited establishment of these 34 settlements aims to create facts on the ground before any potential new government could halt their progress. The United Nations, Palestinians, and most countries consider Israeli settlements illegal under international law and an obstacle to peace, a stance Israel rejects. Palestinians seek the West Bank and East Jerusalem for their future state.

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We are making sure that the decisions we made regarding the legalization and establishment of new settlements in Judea and Samaria do not remain on paper, but are translated into reality on the ground. One after another, we are passing budgetary government reso