Israel has approved the construction of 764 housing units in three West Bank settlements, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced. The units will be built in Hashmonaim, Givat Zeev, and Beitar Illit. Smotrich described the move as part of a strategic effort to strengthen settlements and ensure continuity of life.
Since late 2022, Israel has approved over 51,000 housing units in the West Bank, according to Smotrich. He emphasized that the latest approvals reflect the government’s long-term plans to secure growth, safety, and the future of the State of Israel.
The settlements are located in territory Palestinians seek for a future state. Most world powers consider the settlements illegal under international law. U.N. Security Council resolutions have repeatedly called on Israel to halt settlement construction.
Palestinian officials criticized the move. Wasel Abu Yousef of the Palestine Liberation Organization said all settlements are illegal and violate international legitimacy. Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians have also been rising, with 264 incidents reported in October, the highest monthly total since 2006.
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Israel defends settlements as vital to its security and cites historical, biblical, and political ties to the land. The issue remains a central point of tension in Israeli-Palestinian relations, with global criticism intensifying after each new approval.