Israel plans major West Bank settlement expansion despite legality concerns

Israel’s hardline Finance Minister announced on Wednesday (June 3, 2026) a major expansion by more ‌than 2,000 homes of three Jewish settlements in the occupied ​West Bank that Palestinians hope will be part of a future ⁠independent state. Most nations consider Israeli settlements there to be illegal under international law and a major obstacle to a two-state solution for long-term peace. Bezalel Yoel Smotrich, who holds authority over ‌parts of Israel’s civilian administration in the West Bank, said a planning committee approved the construction of 2,162 new Jewish homes. They include ‌1,006 units in a new settlement near Jerusalem, 922 near the Palestinian ‌city ⁠of Nablus and 234 near Hebron. “We are continuing to build ⁠the Land of Israel in practice,” said Mr. Smotrich, an ultranationalist sanctioned by Britain, France and others who accuse him of inciting violence against Palestinians.