Israeli Government Allocates Over NIS 1 Billion for Roads in New West Bank Settlements

The Israeli government has approved a budget exceeding 1 billion shekels to construct access and security roads for dozens of new settlements in the West Bank, following a proposal by Minister Bezalel Smotrich. This funding supports settlements authorized by the cabinet during the ongoing conflict, including four communities evacuated from northern Samaria over 20 years ago: Homesh, Sha-Nur, Ganim, and Kadim. The budget will be divided between the Ministries of Defense and Transportation after two months of detailed planning by the Settlement Administration.

The decision addresses the urgent need for safe and secure access roads that cannot be financed through standard land development channels. The multi-year plan was developed collaboratively by the Transportation Ministry, the Settlement Administration within the Defense Ministry, and the Finance Ministry, totaling 1.075 billion shekels. Smotrich described the move as a "historic decision" enabling the establishment of dozens of settlements at strategic points in Judea and Samaria, emphasizing it as part of a "settlement-security revolution" to prevent the creation of a terror state within Israel.

Smotrich also contrasted this plan with previous government intentions to evacuate new settlements, stating that the current multi-year program ensures the planning and paving of new access roads, upgrades to existing routes, and connections between settlements, all incorporating critical security features. The rollout will span three years and include road planning and construction both within and between settlements. The program will automatically extend to any future settlements established or regularized by the government in the West Bank.