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Israel unveils NIS 1.3 million budget for 34 new West Bank settlements in 'historic' move

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Israel's Knesset Security Cabinet approved a NIS 1.3 million budget to establish 34 new settlements in the West Bank.
  • This brings the total number of settlements established under the current government to 103.
  • Ministers celebrated the move as a "historic" step strengthening Israel's hold and future in the region.

Israel's Knesset Security Cabinet, alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has approved a budget of NIS 1.3 million to establish 34 new settlements in the West Bank. This decision, detailed on Tuesday, increases the total number of West Bank settlements established under the current government to 103. The new settlements will be distributed across various regions, including Samaria, Binyamin, the Hebron area, the Jordan Valley, Gush Etzion, and the Megilot Regional Council.

We have made sure that... the establishment of new settlements in Judea and Samaria will not remain on paper, but will take shape and be implemented on the ground.

— Bezalel SmotrichFinance Minister Bezalel Smotrich celebrating the approval of the budget for new settlements.

The budget itself was approved in June, but the specifics of the settlement plan were only made public recently. National Missions Minister Orit Strock, Construction and Housing Minister Haim Katz, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich were instrumental in submitting the proposal. Finance Minister Smotrich expressed strong support, emphasizing the practical implementation of new settlements in Judea and Samaria.

We are passing one budget decision after another. Budget for roads, for infrastructure, and now also for buildings and caravans.

— Bezalel SmotrichFinance Minister Bezalel Smotrich detailing the financial allocations for settlement expansion.

"We have made sure that... the establishment of new settlements in Judea and Samaria will not remain on paper, but will take shape and be implemented on the ground," Smotrich stated. He predicted further settlement expansion throughout the summer, citing high demand. Orit Strock described the plan as a "historic" leap in settlement growth, noting its unprecedented magnitude in Israeli history.

We will be moving forward with many more settlements this summer. There is a huge demand for it.

— Bezalel SmotrichFinance Minister Bezalel Smotrich predicting further settlement growth.

Ministers Katz and Strock highlighted the strategic importance of settlement expansion. "Investing in settlement [of the West Bank] strengthens our hold throughout Israel and secures our future," Katz said. He added that the budget would facilitate development, neighborhood establishment, and infrastructure to enable families to move in quickly. The Construction and Housing Ministry pledged to accelerate the process, moving settlements from planning to reality swiftly.

There has never been a Zionist settlement decision of this magnitude in the entire history of [the State of Israel].

— Orit StrockNational Missions Minister Orit Strock emphasizing the historical significance of the settlement plan.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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