Relatively quietly, the government notes a particularly dramatic development regarding construction in the settlements, which was even strengthened yesterday following the attack on Ali: the government recently announced the approval of 4,500 housing units in Judea and Samaria, and according to data obtained by Israel Hayom, this is an impressive increase in the volume of construction – almost double that recorded in 2020 and considered the largest so far.
In addition, yesterday Prime Minister Netanyahu and Minister Smotrich announced the expansion of the community of Ali by about 1,000 housing units in response to yesterday's attack, increasing the total number of building permits in Judea and Samaria to an unprecedented number to date.
The 37th government. An impressive increase in construction volumes, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
According to the data, during Trump's years as US president, the number of housing units in the process of starting construction in Judea and Samaria stood at about 7,000, and in the last year of his term – which was considered a particularly successful year with regard to construction in Judea and Samaria – the number of approved units reached 10,223.
In the current government, despite President Biden's opposition to it, the number of approved housing units now reaches 13,<> – and in just six months (!) an annual rate of twice as many approvals compared to those in the last year of Donald Trump's presidency.
And if that were not enough, this week the government approved a decision that will significantly shorten the building approval procedures in Judea and Samaria. If, until now, building in Judea and Samaria required five different approvals from the political echelon – at the beginning of the process with planning permission, depositing the building plans, advertising, marketing, and final approval – the government's decision leaves only the approval of the beginning and end of the process in the hands of the political echelon.
Construction in Judea and Samaria, Photo: Yossi Zeliger
"These are abnormal numbers," says a source familiar with construction procedures in Judea and Samaria. "You can see that Smotrich has matured. He doesn't run and say, 'I did,' but on the test of results the data is insane."
"Clearly and unapologetically"
Smotrich himself attended the faction meeting and tried not to boast too much about the achievements – apparently for fear of "turning on" the Americans – but settled for saying, "The publication of the construction plans is great news for the citizens of Israel. Right now, we're at a planning peak when looking at the data by year. We will continue to lead settlement throughout the Land of Israel in a clear and unapologetic manner."
"Great news." Minister Smotrich, Photo: Oren Ben Hakon
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Lapid told Israel Hayom: "We are already in a great crisis with the Americans, and this kind of conduct causes damage at a time when we need them. The Americans are rushing to an agreement with Iran, and if we want to take risks on that, then this government is really crazy."
Benny Gantz also warned against the Americans' attitude: "The State of Israel must continue to develop settlement in Judea and Samaria in the right places and in the right process. The system until now, despite being bureaucratic and lengthy, has made it possible to maintain the balances correctly. Netanyahu gave in to Smotrich's pressure and transferred more powers to him."
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