Settlements

Smotrich announces expansion of West Bank's Highway 465, pushes for new level of 'safety, security'

"The doubling of this important road will create a completely different level of safety, security, and quality of life," said Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in a statement announcing the project.

Highway 465's expansion was approved.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever walks as members of the parliament applaud, at the Belgian Parliament in Brussels, Belgium.

'Point of no return': Belgium becomes fourth European country to ban imports from West Bank

The Israeli army near the border fence with Gaza, southern Israel. February 09, 2026.

IDF declares closed military zone ahead of Nahala group's march to Gaza with Smotrich, Ben-Gvir

View of Karmei Tzur settlement north of Hebron, in the West Bank, November 24, 2025.

EU reiterates its call on Israel to refrain from more expansion of settlements


Netanyahu Hails Recognition of 17 New Communities in Binyamin

“I said that we would build and hold fast to our land, our homeland, and we are doing it."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with his wife Sara, ministers, and Knesset members, at a tribute event

Dutch FM resigns over blocked Israel sanctions, party officials follow

Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp resigned despite reaching a compromise that would have seen an import ban on settlement goods.

Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp speaks to the media, on the day of a NATO foreign ministers' meeting at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium April 4, 2025.

UK summons Israeli ambassador over West Bank settlement expansion plan

Britain's Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Office summoned Israeli ambassador Tzipi Hotovely to discuss the plans to establish a settlement in E1, between Jerusalem and Ma’aleh Adumim.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich interacts with a man, on the day of a press conference regarding settlements expansion for the long-frozen E1 settlement, that would split east Jerusalem from the West Bank, near the Israeli settlement of Ma'aleh Adumim, August 14, 2025.

'Pioneers of the Bashan': Israeli activists illegally lay cornerstone for new settlement in Syria

A group of Israeli activists crossed the Israel-Syria border in order to lay the cornerstone for a new, illegal settlement named "Neveh Habashan."

 IDF soldiers operate on Mount Hermon, on the border between Israel and Syria, December 12, 2024

Germany tells Israeli government to stop West Bank settlement construction

This comes after Smotrich announced his approval for settlements in the E1 area.

An Israeli flag flutters, as part of the Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim is visible in the background, in the West Bank, August 14, 2025.

UN human rights office says Israeli plan for settlement near Jerusalem breaks international law

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich previously approved plans for a settlement that would split east Jerusalem from the West Bank.

 View of Ma'aleh Adumim and the area known as E1, in the West Bank. January 2, 2017.

Tune into today's top stories: Israel rejects claims, Yemen intercepts Houthi chem. weapon shipment

The Jerusalem Post's must-listen news roundup with Shifra Jacobs—the top stories, clear and concise.

Protesters, predominantly Houthi supporters, demonstrate in solidarity with Palestinians, in Sanaa, Yemen, August 8, 2025.

'All of Gaza will be Jewish': Heritage minister claims Israel working to resettle Gaza

"The government is rushing to erase Gaza, and thank God we are erasing this evil. All of Gaza will be Jewish,” Eliyahu stated in the interview.

 Amichai Eliyahu

Smotrich: IDF chief told me Israel must annex northern Gaza for 'security purposes'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich made the claim to a conference in the Knesset on Tuesday, which discussed right-wing plans to rebuild settlement blocs across the Gaza Strip.

 (From R-L) Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, MK Zvi Sukkot, MK Limor Son Har-Melech, Settler activist Daniella Weiss, attend a Gaza settlement conference at the Knesset, July 22, 2025.

Knesset hosts conference calling to apply Israeli sovereignty to West Bank

The ‘two-state illusion is dead,’ former US ambassador David Friedman said.

 Nadia Matar and Yehudit Katzover, of the Sovereignty Movement, pictured during an activist tour in the West Bank, January 2023; illustrative.