Israel Advances Plans for Over 1,500 West Bank Housing Units

Israel's Higher Planning Council is set to advance plans for 1,516 new housing units across the West Bank, a move spearheaded by Finance Minister and Minister of Defense Bezalel Smotrich. The initiative also includes the final regulation of two young settlement outposts, Adi Ad and Ma'oz (Ma'oz Tzvi), and the promotion of a plan for a new settlement, Ein Yitav, in the Jordan Valley.

Specifically, the plans encompass 101 units in Ma'oz, 259 in Eli Zahav, and 95 in Peduel in the Samaria region. In the Benjamin region, 219 units will be advanced in Adi Ad and 200 in Talmon. Additionally, 281 units are slated for Ein Yitav in the Jordan Valley, and 365 units for Ma'ale Amos in the Gush Etzion settlement bloc.

Smotrich praised the advancement, stating, "Promoting these plans on such a scale, in Benjamin and Samaria, Gush Etzion and the Jordan Valley, is exciting and joyful, but no less importantly, it is vital for the stability, security, and resilience of the State of Israel." He contrasted the current government's actions with a hypothetical "government of [Gabi] Eisenkot- [Avigdor] Lieberman- [Meir] Golan that wants to destroy and establish a Palestinian state controlling Azrieli and Ben Gurion Airport," asserting that "we are regulating the settlements Adi Ad, Ma'oz (Ma'oz Tzvi), and Ein Yitav. Not with words, but with deeds."

Smotrich added, "We will continue to lead a broad momentum of construction and regulation because this land belongs to us, it's that simple." He extended thanks to the Civil Administration and the Settlement Administration for leading this significant effort.