Israel allocates billions to reshape the West Bank

Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s finance minister, stressed that the West Bank is part of the regime’s security buffer and said he takes pride in leading this region because, in his words, it dismantles what he called the “idea of dividing Israel and establishing a terrorist state.”

In this context, the Hebrew-language newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Smotrich has earmarked a budget of 2.7 billion shekels over the next five years to establish 17 new settlements in the West Bank.

This budget includes funding for strengthening infrastructure, relocating military bases to the northern part of the region, constructing high-speed roadways, and establishing public institutions. Plans have also been set to reinforce air defense systems in these areas.

The development plans announced by Smotrich, beyond their security dimension, are expected to alter the demographic and economic landscape of the West Bank and pave the way for expanded settlement construction and the entrenchment of Israeli presence.

These policies are being implemented at a time when international organizations and regional countries have warned about demographic changes and the escalation of tensions in the West Bank.