Israeli Plan to Fund 61 New Settlements in the West Bank

SadaNews - The Israeli government is moving towards approving a plan to fund the establishment of 61 new settlements in the West Bank, in what is considered one of the largest settlement expansion projects in recent years.

The American website "Axios" reported that the proposal includes allocating more than $350 million over several years to convert settlements that recently received official licenses into established communities on the ground.

According to the draft decision, Israeli authorities will begin to establish temporary facilities, infrastructure, and basic services in several locations, even before completing the final planning and organizational procedures.

The plan includes the construction of mobile homes, public buildings, road networks, and community facilities to support the new settlements.

The report noted that Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is adopting the proposal and is pushing for its approval during the current period.

This move comes at a time when the government seeks to pass the plan before any potential early elections that could complicate the allocation of the necessary funding for the project.

The settlements included in the plan are located in strategic areas, including the Jordan Valley, southern Hebron, and regions that Israel aims to strengthen geographic connectivity between existing settlements.

Observers believe that implementing the plan could lead to significant changes on the map of the West Bank.

The majority of countries worldwide consider Israeli settlements in the West Bank to be contrary to international law, viewing them as an obstacle to political settlement efforts and the two-state solution.

The new project is part of a series of steps taken by the Israeli government in recent times to expand settlement activities and enhance its presence in Area "C" of the West Bank.