Israel Approves 22 New Settlements in Historic Expansion of Judea and Samaria

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – In a landmark decision Wednesday, Israel’s Security Cabinet approved the construction of 22 new Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, including the revival of Homesh and Sa-Nur, two settlements dismantled during the 2005 Gaza Disengagement.

The move, led by Defense Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, marks the most significant expansion in the region since the Six-Day War, with several of the planned settlements located along the Jordanian border. The initiative is seen as a direct counter to Palestinian efforts to establish territorial continuity for a future state.

“This historic decision to establish 22 new communities in Judea and Samaria strengthens our hold on the land, anchors our historical right to the Land of Israel, and delivers a crushing answer to Palestinian terrorism,” said Katz. “It’s not just about settlements–it’s a strategic move to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger Israel.”

Smotrich echoed the sentiment, calling it “a great day for the settlements and for the State of Israel.” He added, “With God’s help, we are returning the State of Israel to a path of building, Zionism, and vision. Settlement in our ancestral homeland is Israel’s shield wall.”

The new communities will span key areas including the Binyamin region and the Jordan Valley, with an emphasis on bolstering Israeli presence along critical transportation corridors such as Highway 443. The decision also legalizes several previously unauthorized outposts.

In tandem, the cabinet reaffirmed a prior decision to resume official Israeli land registration in Area C–territory under full Israeli control per the Oslo Accords–aimed at curbing unauthorized Palestinian Authority land registration efforts. Officials said such activities were conducted “without legal authority” and would be formally blocked moving forward.

The Regavim Movement, which monitors illegal construction and land grabs in Judea and Samaria, welcomed the ruling, calling it a “pivotal advancement” after years of advocacy. “We thank our national leaders for safeguarding our territorial integrity and securing our collective future,” the organization said in a statement.

Yisrael Gantz, head of the Binyamin Regional Council and chairman of the Yesha Council, hailed the expansion as “the most important decision since 1967.” He declared, “This is a bold declaration to our enemies and to the world–we are here to stay, build, and strengthen Israel.”

The Defense Ministry confirmed Thursday that the plan includes both new constructions and the formalization of existing outposts, asserting that the project is “a step that will change the face of the area and shape the future of settlement for years to come.”

According to ministry officials, the long-term goal is to “strengthen the Israeli hold on the territory, avoid the establishment of a Palestinian state, and create a foundation for continued settlement in the coming decades.”

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