Full Breakdown
Israel Approves $434 Million Budget to Build 34 New West Bank Settlements
7/14/2026, 9:56:02 PM
Budget Approval for 34 New West Bank Settlements
On July 14, 2026 Israel’s security cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, approved a 1.3 billion-shekel (? $434 million) budget to establish 34 new settlements in the occupied West Bank. An additional 1.075 billion shekels is slated for road construction to these communities. The plan, first submitted by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, National Missions Minister Orit Strock and Construction and Housing Minister Haim Katz, raises the total number of settlements approved under the current government to 103.
Planned Settlement Distribution
The approved sites are spread across six areas: nine in Samaria, seven in Binyamin, four in the South Hebron Hills, seven in the Jordan Valley, six in Gush Etzion and one in the Megilot Regional Council. Temporary names such as Aloni Shomron, Rom Gilboa and Emek Dotan have been assigned to the new communities, while two existing outposts—Mitzpe Yair and Yishuv HaDa’at—will be legalized.
Official Statements & Responses
Smotrich framed the decision as a security measure, saying it “strengthens the security of the State of Israel” and “kills the idea of establishing a terrorist state in the heart of the country.” He added that the budget ensures the settlements “do not remain on paper, but take shape and rise on the ground.” Orit Strock described the move as “the largest Zionist-settlement decision since the establishment of the state,” while Haim Katz argued that “investing in settlement strengthens our hold throughout Israel and secures our future.” The cabinet’s approval was presented as a “historic” step by Smotrich, who thanked Netanyahu for his support.
International and Palestinian Opposition
United Nations bodies, the Palestinian leadership and the majority of the international community consider the settlements illegal under international law and a major obstacle to a two-state solution. Israeli officials dispute the illegality claim, characterizing the West Bank as disputed territory where Jews have historic ties.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We are strengthening the security of the State of Israel, killing the idea of establishing a terrorist state in the heart of the country, and strengthening our hold on the homeland in Judea and Samaria,” — Bezalel Smotrich, Finance Minister
- “We have made sure that... the establishment of new settlements in Judea and Samaria will not remain on paper, but will take shape and be implemented on the ground.” — Bezalel Smotrich
- “There has never been a Zionist settlement decision of this magnitude in the entire history of [the State of Israel].” — Orit Strock, National Missions Minister
- “Investing in settlement [of the West Bank] strengthens our hold throughout Israel and secures our future,” — Haim Katz, Construction and Housing Minister
- “The legalization and establishment of dozens of new communities is a significant part and a cornerstone of the settlement revolution we have been leading in recent years. This is a significant security-strategic decision, and part of a broad move whose purpose is to kill the terrible idea of establishing a terror state in the very heart of the State of Israel.” — Bezalel Smotrich
