Israeli Cabinet Approves $370 Million Budget for New West Bank Settlements in Secret

About a month ago, the Israeli cabinet approved a budget of approximately 1.3 billion shekels (around $370 million) for establishing new settlements in the West Bank (Judea and Samaria). The decision was kept confidential until its recent disclosure to avoid embarrassing the United States. This budget was proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and Minister of Settlement and National Missions Orit Strook.

The funds are allocated for building pioneering neighborhoods in dozens of newly approved settlements during the current government’s term, as well as for developing infrastructure to enable initial habitation alongside ongoing development work. The plan was formulated by the Prime Minister’s Office and will be implemented through the Ministry of Settlement and National Missions and the Ministry of Construction and Housing. It complements other recent cabinet decisions funding planning, roads, and security components for these new settlements.

Finance Minister Smotrich emphasized that the move ensures settlement establishment decisions will be realized on the ground rather than remaining theoretical. He noted continued government funding for roads, infrastructure, buildings, and caravans. Construction and Housing Minister Haim Katz stated that following the approval of the settlements, the execution phase has begun. He said the budget will allow development to start, pioneer neighborhoods to be built, and necessary infrastructure to be laid for families to move in. Katz pledged efforts to remove obstacles and accelerate work so the new settlements quickly transition from plans to reality.