Israel’s Supreme Planning Council has approved a record number of housing units in Judea and Samaria, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declaring the surge as a bold step to secure sovereignty and strengthen Zionism.
The Supreme Planning Council convened Wednesday and advanced hundreds of new housing units across key communities in Gush Etzion, Mount Hebron, and Samaria, continuing Israel’s strategic expansion in Judea and Samaria.
The approvals include:
- Elaza – 66 units finalized
- Ma’ale Amos – 371 units authorized for deposit
- Ariel – 280 units authorized for deposit
- Gitit – 281 units authorized for deposit
- Avigail – 278 units authorized for deposit
- Omerim – authorization for a new industrial zone
Over the past year, the Council has been meeting monthly to match regional needs, moving forward with tens of thousands of housing units. But since November 2024, the pace has dramatically increased — with weekly sessions driving approvals at unprecedented speed.
According to the left-wing NGO Peace Now, 2025 has already seen the advancement of 25,129 housing units — an all-time record. The group decried the momentum, claiming that it “normalizes construction in the territories” and accelerates what they call “settlement entrenchment.”
But for Israel’s leadership, the policy is clear: this is not only construction, it is nation-building.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich told Arutz Sheva – Israel National News:
“We will continue strengthening the settlement enterprise for Israel’s security and to bolster our sovereignty over the homeland’s territories. What we are doing is Zionism.”
The surge in approvals underscores Israel’s determination to cement sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, defying international pressure and affirming that Jewish settlement in the biblical heartland is irreversible.
