Israeli settlement timeline

[36] The Israeli government’s Coalition Agreement of December 1, 2022 between incoming prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party and the far-right, ultra-nationalist Religious Zionism party of Bezalel Smotrich states that "the prime minister will work towards the formulation and promotion of a policy whereby sovereignty is applied to Judea and Samaria" (biblical names for the occupied West Bank).

Other commitments included legalization of dozens of unauthorized settlements and the provision of large funds for road building and public transport in the West Bank.

The State Attorney's Office said "the political echelon wishes to announce that, in accordance with the coalition agreements that were signed, it intends to act as soon as possible to amend the guidelines permitting Israelis to remain" and requested a further three months to submit another opinion.

A US spokesman said "We strongly oppose expansion of settlements, and we're deeply concerned by reports about a process to legalize outposts that are illegal under Israeli law.

[44][45][46][47] At a UNSC meeting of 20 February, the Council issued a formal statement condemning Israel's plan for settlement expansion on Palestinian territory.

"[48][49] Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich took charge of most of the Civil Administration, obtaining broad authority over civilian issues in the West Bank.

Critics, including some of the Israeli opposition and NGOs supporting Palestinian rights, denounced the move as a prelude to annexation of the West Bank.

The United States said it was "deeply troubled" by the Israeli plans that explicitly violate previous commitments made by Israel to the Biden administration.

[75][76] In a CNN interview on 9 July 2023, US President Joe Biden said that extreme cabinet ministers in the coalition that back settling "anywhere they want" in the West Bank are "part of the problem" in the conflict.

[82][83] In late March 2024, Minister Smotrich declared that the Israeli government had newly seized 10 km2 of land in the West Bank, "promoting settlement through hard work and in a strategic manner all over the country".