Settlements

Smotrich: 'Establishing settlements destroys idea of Palestinian state in our heartland'

Smotrich's comments came at a ceremony celebrating the establishment of a new settlement, called Maoz Tzur, in the Binyamin region of the West Bank.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks at the Knesset, March 23, 2026; illustrative.
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.

Knesset advances bill to grant tax benefits for West Bank settlements

 Former prime minister Naftali Bennett in Tel Aviv. August 1, 2022.

'Stealing like thieves': Opposition condemns gov't NIS 5b allocation to haredim, settlements

VIEW OF snow on Mount Hermon in Syria, as seen from the northern Golan Heights, in Jan.

Beyond the Golan: The Israeli case for reclaiming southern Syria's Bashan - opinion


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. 

A truck carries a mobile home to a new settlement being established near Karnei Shomron in the West Bank on September 25, 2025.

False alarm in Elei Zahav, authorities confirm no terrorist infiltration

The incident follows an infiltration yesterday.

New buildings stand around the Israeli settlement Eli near Ramallah.

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.

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.

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"

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

Students from Yeshiva Shavei Hevron claim the Valero house in the old city.