Israel's security cabinet recently endorsed a 1.3 billion shekel initiative to create 34 additional settlements across the West Bank

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

(photo credit: WISAM HASHLAMOUN/FLASH90)

ByREUTERS

JULY 17, 2026 21:44

The European Union on Friday repeated its demand that Israel avoid further growth of settlements in the West Bank.

"The EU repeats its demand that Israel avoid further settlement growth, the legalization of outposts, land appropriation, demolitions, evictions and other unilateral steps that harm the viability of the two-state solution," said a statement from the EU's diplomatic service spokesperson.

Earlier this week, Israel's security cabinet approved a plan with a budget of 1.3 billion shekels ($427.8 million) for establishing 34 new settlements in the West Bank.

Decision to extend number of settlements to 103

According to the decision, 34 new settlements will be established in the near future - nine in the Samaria region, seven in the Binyamin region, four in the Hebron area, seven in the Jordan Valley, six in the Gush Etzion area, and one in the Megilot Regional Council area.

This will bring the total number of West Bank settlements established under the current government to 103.

National Missions Minister Orit Strock, Construction and Housing Minister Haim Katz, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich submitted the proposal.