Israel approves $324 million for 34 West Bank settlements

The Israeli government has approved a major new investment to accelerate the establishment and expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank, a move officials described as a historic step for the settlement movement. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced on July 14 that the Security Cabinet had allocated 1.3 billion shekels, approximately $324 million, to advance the establishment of 34 new settlements across the territory.

The funding, which implements a cabinet decision from March, is designated for rapid initial construction at each location, including prefabricated homes and public buildings. An additional 1.075 billion shekels is slated for related infrastructure projects, particularly roads to connect the new communities. Smotrich, who oversees civilian affairs in the West Bank, stated the plan strengthens Israel's security and kills the idea of establishing a Palestinian state in the heart of the country. Settlements and National Missions Minister Orit Strock called it a landmark decision of unprecedented size for the Zionist settlement project.

According to the plan, the new settlements will be distributed across several regions: nine in the northern West...