Ben Sales

Israel is embarking on the largest expansion of West Bank settlements in decades, its finance minister announced Thursday, a step meant to reinforce Israeli control of the territory.

Bezalel Smotrich, a far-right minister who holds authority over civilian affairs in Israel’s settlements , announced the establishment of 22 settlements in the West Bank. Some are existing outposts that the Israeli government considered illegal but will now authorize. Others will be new towns.

Smotrich called the announcement a “once-in-a-generation decision” in a post on X .

“This is a great day for settlement and an important day for the state of Israel,” he wrote. “With courageous work and determined leadership we succeeded, with God’s help, to create a deep strategic change, the return

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