Story perspectives

Israel Secretly Approves Record 34 West Bank Settlements, Funds Roads

7/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

Israel's Security Cabinet approved 34 West Bank settlements, raising the total to 103, the largest expansion, and kept the decision secret for weeks to avoid embarrassing the United States during strained talks.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the budget will build neighborhoods and infrastructure for rapid family settlement.
Settlement Minister Orit Struck called it the largest drive and earmarked 1.075 billion shekels for roads to the new sites, four evacuated settlements.

1 of 1

Story summary

Israel's Security Cabinet approved 34 West Bank settlements, raising the total to 103, the largest expansion, and kept the decision secret for weeks to avoid embarrassing the United States during strained talks.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the budget will build neighborhoods and infrastructure for rapid family settlement.
Settlement Minister Orit Struck called it the largest drive and earmarked 1.075 billion shekels for roads to the new sites, four evacuated settlements.