Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich Drives Massive West Bank Settlement Expansion

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced a sweeping settlement plan in the West Bank, describing it as a "revolution" that will create a connected network of Israeli settlements. The government approved roughly 160 new settlement farms and more than 100 new settlements, aiming to build over 40,000 housing units by the end of 2025 – a figure later raised to 60,000.

Smotrich was given extensive authority within the Defence Ministry to oversee planning, construction, land and civil‑administrative matters in Area "J", the portion of the West Bank under full Israeli control. The strategy seeks to link existing settlements, fragment Palestinian territories and make any future Palestinian state increasingly unlikely. Human‑rights groups and Israeli experts warned the measures accelerate de‑facto annexation of the occupied areas.