2.7 Billion Shekels to Strengthen Settlement.. Occupation Restructures the West Bank

SadaNews Translation - Yedioth Ahronoth and Ynet revealed details of a new budget led by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, which includes transferring billions of shekels from the state treasury to support extensive settlement projects in the occupied West Bank, in a move described as a tangible entrenchment of the annexation policy on the ground.

The data indicates that the plan includes relocating military bases belonging to the occupation army to the northern West Bank, building infrastructure for dozens of new settlements, opening bypass roads, and enhancing security systems to protect settlers.

Among the most prominent announced steps is the relocation of the "Menashe" brigade's headquarters from the Ein Shimer camp to the Sanour area, which was evacuated under the Disengagement Law, along with moving two bases belonging to two battalions in the same region, reflecting the occupation's efforts to re-establish its military and settlement presence there.

As translated by SadaNews, the value of the plan is approximately 2.7 billion shekels distributed over five years, of which 1.1 billion is allocated to strengthen existing settlements and establish new ones, and 660 million shekels for 17 settlements recently approved by the occupation, including "Ma'alot Halhul", "Sanour", and "Mount Ebal". Additionally, 338 million shekels were allocated for 36 settlement outposts undergoing legal regularization, including infrastructure projects such as water, electricity, and public buildings.

The plan also includes creating "absorption centers" by installing dozens of caravans to facilitate the transition of new settlers, alongside financial grants reaching up to 300 million shekels to support these settlements, 434 million shekels for upgrading existing settlement infrastructures, in addition to 300 million shekels for regional and local councils in the West Bank.

Among the most important items as translated by SadaNews, 225 million shekels are allocated for establishing a new land registration unit aimed at transferring land ownership from the Civil Administration register to an official Israeli register, including about 60,000 dunams by 2030, which is considered a dangerous step towards imposing Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank.

Additionally, 140 million shekels have been earmarked for constructing new roads serving the army, and 150 million shekels for modernizing armored buses over three years, along with other budgets to enhance security through cameras, smart fences, and monitoring equipment.

Observers believe that this budget reflects a radical shift in the occupation's policy, as it creates a reality that any subsequent Israeli government will find difficult to reverse, while the "Yesha" settlement council played a pivotal role in shaping this plan in coordination with Smotrich's office and the Israeli Ministry of Security and Defense.