Israel's Far-Right Government Breaks Record with Approval of Thousands of Illegal Settlement Housing Units

 Israel’s far-right government has approved a record number of construction projects in illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank within its first six months in power, according to the left-wing Israeli movement, Peace Now.

The group reported that 12,855 settler housing units had been approved since January, the highest number recorded since tracking began in 2012. Peace Now stated that the settlement enterprise has been the only sector Israel has actively promoted in the past six months.

The Higher Planning Council (HPC) of Israel met three times this year to advance construction proposals, revealing that settlement expansions have become a top priority for the government.

Last month, plans for thousands of new housing units were approved in the occupied West Bank, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich was given sweeping powers to expedite settlement construction.

The HPC has also approved settlement promotions in February and May this year. Whilst there has been criticism of Israel’s settlement policies from the United States in recent weeks, a change in US policy towards Israel has not been indicated.

Currently, there are over 700,000 Israelis living in illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, territories captured by Israel in 1967.