Israeli Government Approves 34 New Settlements in West Bank and Jordan Valley

The Israeli Security Cabinet approved the establishment of 34 new settlements across Judea, Samaria (the West Bank), and the Jordan Valley in a decision made in March but only publicly disclosed in late June. The proposal was brought forward by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and the Ministry of Defense. This move is part of the current government's broader policy to expand Israeli settlements in these territories.

The new settlements will be distributed across several strategic areas: nine in Samaria, seven in Benjamin, four in the Hebron Hills, seven in the Jordan Valley, six in Gush Etzion, and one in the Megilot Regional Council. Since the current government took office, a total of 103 new settlements have been approved, including 69 during its tenure.

Government officials describe the decision as having significant political and security implications, aiming to strengthen Israeli presence and create territorial continuity in areas deemed strategically important. Smotrich called the move a flagship decision in the settlement revolution, emphasizing its role in preventing the establishment of a "terror state" within Israel's heartland. He also criticized the opposition for allegedly seeking to dismantle settlements, contrasting it with the coalition's efforts to fortify them.

The announcement follows months of publication restrictions, with full details now released. This expansion is one of the most substantial settlement initiatives by the current government, likely to provoke reactions in both domestic and international political arenas amid ongoing disputes over West Bank settlement policies.