Israel to approve West Bank settlement road budget worth over NIS 1 billion
Israel's government will approve over NIS 1 billion for West Bank settlement road construction and security upgrades.Summary
The Israeli government is set to approve a budget exceeding NIS 1 billion for road construction and upgrades serving West Bank settlements, a plan led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and involving the Defense and Transportation ministries. The funding will cover new roads, improvements to existing routes, and security components, with the intention of providing safe and regulated access to both existing and future settlements, including four that were previously evacuated.
Smotrich described the move as part of a "settlement-security revolution" that will fortify Israel's position and oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state, while Tourism Minister Haim Katz noted a related approval of NIS 27 million for hotel development in the West Bank aimed at boosting tourism. The road budget will be implemented over three years and will remain open to incorporate any additional settlements authorized by the cabinet.
(Source：Jpost)