Israeli NGO Slams Government's $2.7 Billion Settlement Investment Plan

An Israeli non-governmental organization has sharply criticized a government initiative to allocate around $2.7 billion towards expanding settlements in the occupied West Bank. The plan includes significant investment in infrastructure and the construction of thousands of new residential units across multiple settlements. This move follows a pattern of rapid settlement expansion under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government since it took office in 2022, drawing condemnation from international rights groups and the United Nations.

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This is another significant step in the settlement revolution we are leading in Judea and Samaria.

Recently, Netanyahu and far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich formalized the plan with an umbrella agreement. Smotrich, using the biblical name for the West Bank, described it as "another significant step in the settlement revolution we are leading." The agreement earmarks funds for approximately 12,000 new housing units and substantial investment in infrastructure and settlement development. Prime Minister Netanyahu hailed the initiative, stating, "Not only do we defend this place, we elevate it."

However, the decision has faced strong opposition from Israeli anti-settlement watchdog Peace Now. The organization accused the government of misusing public funds and deepening the occupation of the West Bank. Hagit Ofran, a spokeswoman for Peace Now, explained that such "umbrella agreements are used for the rapid development of large-scale projects." She added that from the government's viewpoint, it represents a "double win: unbridled construction in the settlements, along with shackling the next government to commitments that will make it difficult to roll back this terrible government's reckless policy."

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Not only do we defend this place, we elevate it.

Peace Now reports that since Netanyahu's government assumed power, it has approved the establishment of 102 settlements in the West Bank. International law considers all Israeli settlements illegal. Excluding East Jerusalem, over 500,000 Israelis reside in settlements within the West Bank, a territory Israel has occupied since 1967, where approximately three million Palestinians also live.

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Umbrella agreements are used for the rapid development of large-scale projects. From the government's perspective, it is a double win: unbridled construction in the settlements, along with shackling the next government to commitments that will make it difficult to roll back this terrible government's reckless policy.