The political-security cabinet approved a proposal by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Ministers Smotrich and Strock for a NIS 1.3 billion budget to develop infrastructure and establish new communities in Judea and Samaria, according to reports.
The political-security cabinet approved a NIS 1.3 billion budget for the establishment of 34 new settlements in Judea and Samaria, in a decision announced publicly this afternoon at 14:50 Jerusalem. The approval, advanced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Orit Strock, confirms and expands upon earlier reports of a secret allocation.
The Zioneer first reported at 14:50 Jerusalem that the cabinet had secretly approved the same budget a month ago, based on a report by Amit Segal (N12). In subsequent updates at the same time, the desk reported that the cabinet had formally approved the previously reported settlement budget, and then that the number of approved settlements stood at 34. The story progressed from a single-source report to multiple Israeli media confirmations.
The proposal was submitted by Finance Minister Smotrich and Settlement Minister Strock, as The Zioneer reported. The decision is expected to draw international criticism, as settlement expansion in the West Bank remains a contentious issue.
As of this writing, no official statement has been released by the Prime Minister's Office or the Ministry of Defense. The exact timeline for implementation and the specific locations of the new settlements have not been disclosed.
4 developments
- StrongGovernment to approve NIS 1 billion road plan on Sunday, including four evacuated settlements in northern Samaria
- DevelopingCabinet to vote on plan for 61 new settlements in Judea and Samaria
- StrongGovernment refers NIS 1 billion settlement budget to cabinet for confidential approval
- StrongIsrael signs NIS 8.5 billion roof agreement with Samaria council for 12,000 housing units
Source and signal
- Internal intake