With Smotrich's Support.. 46 Settlements and Outposts Added to Tax Benefits in the West Bank

SadaNews Economic Translation - The Israeli Tax Authority announced on Friday morning that it will begin implementing a law recently approved by the Knesset next month, granting settlements in the West Bank tax benefits that exempt them from payment.

According to the Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth's website, as translated by SadaNews' Economics Department, the decision issued today identifies 46 settlements and outposts in the West Bank that will benefit from the decision.

The decision will be implemented retroactively starting from January of last year.

The law approved by the Israeli Knesset last month establishes a new classification called "Eastern Front Area," allowing residents of about 58 settlements in the West Bank to receive tax exemptions starting from January of last year until the end of 2027, with the possibility of extending it for additional periods not exceeding two years each.

It also stipulates that eligible settlements must be located more than two kilometers from the separation wall and meet specific security and social criteria, including the use of armored vehicles to transport students.

The Israeli Tax Authority estimated the cost of the tax exemptions at around 130 million shekels annually.

The project was promoted by the Minister of Settlement in the Israeli Ministry of Defense, Bezalel Smotrich, who will benefit from the project as he resides in West Bank settlements.