Settlements

As the world backs a Palestinian state, a Jewish future is being cemented in the West Bank

While diplomacy takes place abroad, a very different reality is emerging on the ground in the West Bank, with an increasing number of small settlement farms scattered across the contested territory.

|ByRUTH MARKS EGLASH
This settlement farm on Route 458, east of Ramallah, is just one of at least 40 to 50 new communities that have sprung up in the area. Premium
A truck carries a mobile home to a new settlement being established near Karnei Shomron in the West Bank on September 25, 2025. PremiumPremium

Why the world believes Israeli settlements are illegal - explainer

The ICJ adopted the view that the Israeli presence in the West Bank – and east Jerusalem – is unlawful and that Israel is obligated to bring the occupation of the territory to an end. 

|ByTAL MIMRAN
New buildings stand around the Israeli settlement Eli near Ramallah.

False alarm in Elei Zahav, authorities confirm no terrorist infiltration

The incident follows an infiltration yesterday.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
A drone view of Al-Arroub refugee camp alongside a new road, part of the expansion of Israeli bypass roads connecting Israeli settlers in the West Bank with Jerusalem, in the West Bank, September 29, 2025.

Suspected terrorist infiltration in West Bank settlement Kohav HaShahar

Home Front Command instructed residents to remain in their homes and lock all doors until further notice as the investigation took place, though the event has since ended.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Historic Day: Hashomer Hachadash Launches New Initiative in the Arava

Yoel Zilberman, CEO and Founder of Hashomer Hachadash, “This is an emotional and historic day - a day when we plant a Nahal nucleus in the Arava"

OCTOBER 9, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Yoel Zilberman, CEO and Co-founder Hashomer Hachadash

Controversial E1 project gets the green light

The area consists of a few barren hilltops directly east of Jerusalem’s urban sprawl, marking the start of the Judean Desert – the last available stretch of land that can be developed.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2025ByMARK WEISS
FINANCE MINISTER Bezalel Smotrich speaks at a news conference, announcing plans to approve more than 3,000 housing units in the E1 area between Jerusalem and Ma’aleh Adumim, last week.

UN report lists 150 companies with ties to Israeli settlements in West Bank

US firms Airbnb, Expedia and TripAdvisor and Netherlands-based Booking.com remain on the rights office's list.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2025ByREUTERS
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and a woman hold a map that shows the long-frozen E1 settlement plan, that would split east Jerusalem from the West Bank, on the day of a press conference near the Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, August 14, 2025.

Ben-Gvir promises Police seafront housing after 'complete Gaza victory'

He said “settlement brings security” and that “it is time for Jewish settlement in Gaza,” calling the plan “a symbol of our faith and vision.”

SEPTEMBER 15, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir speaks during a ceremony at the National Police Academy in Beit Shemesh, September 15, 2025

Israel to sign NIS 3 billion housing agreement in Ma’aleh Adumim, doubling population

The agreement is set to be signed this Thursday with the Prime Minister’s Office, the Construction and Housing Ministry, the Finance Ministry, and the Ma’aleh Adumim Municipality.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2025ByKESHET NEEV
FINANCE MINISTER Bezalel Smotrich walks to attend a press conference last month, announcing the approval of the long-frozen E1 building plans near Ma’aleh Adumim.

Israeli moderately wounded after being struck with an iron rod in West Bank altercation

After Civil Administration workers demolished an illegal outpost in the area and left the site, the shuttle carrying the approximately 20 workers was attacked by dozens of Jewish Israelis.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
A picture taken from the Palestinian village of Sair shows the Israeli settlement of Metzad on March 15, 2017.

Yeshiva students seize house in Hebron's old city for dorms

A press release from the yeshiva claimed that this was the first time Jews had entered the old city since 1929.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Students from Yeshiva Shavei Hevron claim the Valero house in the old city.

'The Disengagement is dead!' Settlers open first kindergarten in Homesh in 20 years

"We will also open new kindergartens in Gush Katif," Yossi Dagan said, referring to the settlement in Gaza forcibly dismantled during the Disengagement.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2025ByAARON REICH
Kindergarten opened in settlement of Homesh, in the West Bank, September 1, 2025.

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."

AUGUST 27, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
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.

AUGUST 22, 2025ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD
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.

AUGUST 21, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, REUTERS
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.