Overview
- Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the newly approved units will be built in Hashmonaim, Givat Zeev and Beitar Illit, adding that 51,370 units have been cleared by the Higher Planning Council since late 2022.
- Days earlier, Smotrich announced NIS 2.7 billion (about $810 million) to establish 17 new settlements over five years, expand existing ones, and relocate three military bases to the northern West Bank.
- Budget lines in the plan include absorption centers made of caravans, bypass roads, security systems, infrastructure upgrades, and grants for regional and local councils.
- The United Nations, European Union and United States criticized the expansion as contrary to international law and damaging to a two‑state solution, while Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia issued formal rebukes and the EU said it is considering measures.
- Israeli group Peace Now labeled the package the largest government investment in settlements since Oslo and a blow to a two‑state outcome, while Palestinian officials called for sanctions and pointed to the ICJ’s 2024 ruling deeming the occupation unlawful.