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Israel confirms creation of 19 new West Bank settlements

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the project, which includes the recognition of previously illegal outposts, is designed to prevent a potential Palestinian state in future

December 22, 2025 14:50
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Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich seen after a press conference at the Ministry of Finance in Jerusalem on December 4, 2025 (Flash90)
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The Israeli government has announced 19 new Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

This includes 11 newly-built communities and eight formerly illegal outposts which will now be recognised under Israeli law.

A resolution supporting the project was backed by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defence Minister Israel Katz, and was approved by the security cabinet earlier this month.

At the time, Smotrich said that the proposal was designed to separate sections of the West Bank, with the intention of blocking a potential Palestinian state.

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