1.3 Billion Shekels to Expand Settlements in the West Bank.. A Secret Decision Concealed by Tel Aviv to Avoid Embarrassing Washington

SadaNews Translation: Yedioth Ahronoth revealed that the Israeli cabinet approved a budget of 1.3 billion shekels allocated for establishing new settlements in the West Bank.

The newspaper stated that the decision, made about a month ago, was kept secret to avoid any tension with the United States.

This step came as part of a joint proposal presented by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and Settlement Minister Orit Strook, aiming to enhance new settlement projects and expand the necessary infrastructure to commence construction in dozens of sites that received ministerial approvals during the current government's term.

The newspaper clarifies that the budget will be used to establish leading neighborhoods in the settlements, alongside developing roads, service networks, and security, allowing construction to proceed alongside regular development projects.

This decision is considered an extension of a series of recent governmental steps that included allocating additional resources for planning, roads, and protecting new settlements, as part of a policy aimed at solidifying the settlement presence in the West Bank.