The Occupation Government Approves a Budget Exceeding One Billion Shekels for the Construction of Settlement Roads in the West Bank

SadaNews - The Israeli government has approved a budget of 270 million dollars for the construction of settlement roads on the lands of citizens in the occupied West Bank.

Israeli newspaper "Haaretz" reported on Monday: "The government has approved a budget exceeding one billion shekels (approximately 270 million US dollars) to create roads linking new settlements in the West Bank."

It quoted a statement issued by the occupation government, indicating that "In the first phase, approximately 3 million shekels (about one million dollars) will be allocated to establish the plan and complete the preliminary design work, which will be presented to the government for approval within 45 days."

It added: "Funding for the development works will be provided as an additional allocation from the Ministry of Finance's budget."

The decision comes amid a surge in colonial activity since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government took office at the end of 2022, with significant expansion in settlement construction in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

The number of Israeli settlers in the West Bank is estimated at about 750,000, including around 250,000 in East Jerusalem, according to Palestinian estimates, in settlements considered illegal by the United Nations.