Israel Approves 22 New Settlements in Judea and Samaria

In a landmark move affirming its historic and strategic rights, Israel has approved the establishment and legalization of 22 new Jewish towns in Judea and Samaria the largest single settlement expansion since the Six-Day War in 1967. The decision, backed by the Security Cabinet and announced Thursday morning by the Defense Ministry, reflects Israel’s renewed commitment to strengthening its presence in the biblical heartland.

The initiative was spearheaded by Defense Minister Israel Katz and Minister within the Ministry of Defense Bezalel Smotrich, who also serves as Finance Minister. The new communities include both entirely new towns and the formal recognition of long-standing outposts, such as Homesh and Sa-Nur towns once evacuated during the 2005 Gaza Disengagement but now legally sanctioned for resettlement.

“This historic decision to establish 22 new settlements in Judea and Samaria strengthens our hold on the region, anchors our historical right to the Land of Israel, and constitutes a resounding answer to Palestinian terror,” Katz declared. He emphasized that Jewish communities in these areas serve as a “vital shield” for Israel’s major population centers and are essential for national security.

Among the newly approved communities are well-known outposts like Havot Yair, Adei Ad, and Ahiya, which will now be granted full legal status. Four of the new towns will be strategically located in the Jordan Valley, with others planned along Route 443 linking Jerusalem and Tel Aviv via Samaria.

“This is a great day for the settlement enterprise and an important day for the State of Israel,” said Smotrich, hailing the vote as a “deep strategic shift” that brings the nation “back to the path of building, Zionism, and vision.” He affirmed that this move is not just about building homes, but about restoring the inheritance of the Jewish people.

According to the Defense Ministry, the plan is driven by long-term strategic goals: preventing the creation of a Palestinian state, establishing critical buffers in vulnerable regions, and securing developmental reserves for the future of Jewish settlement. The approved expansion represents a renewed commitment to ensuring that Judea and Samaria remain integral to the State of Israel’s fabric historically, demographically, and defensively.

Israel’s decision underscores a profound truth: that building and returning to the land of our forefathers is not merely a political act, but a sacred duty.

Support the future of Jewish communities. Share this update. Subscribe to our newsletter for more news on Israel’s national growth and Zionist achievements.