TEL AVIV, May 4, 2026 (WAFA) – The Israeli government has approved a budget of $270 million (NIS1 billion) for the construction of colonial roads on Palestinian-owned land in the occupied West Bank.
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported on Monday that the government approved a budget exceeding one billion shekels (approximately $270 million) for the construction of roads connecting new colonies in the West Bank.
The newspaper quoted a statement issued by the Israeli government, saying that “in the first phase, approximately three million shekels (about $1 million) will be allocated to develop the plan and complete the initial design work, which will be presented to the government for approval within 45 days.”
The statement added that “funding for the development work will be provided as an additional allocation from the Ministry of Finance budget.”
This decision comes amidst an acceleration of colonial activity since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government took office at the end of 2012. The West Bank, including East Jerusalem, has witnessed a significant expansion in colonial construction.
The number of Israeli colonists in the West Bank is estimated at about 750,000, including about 250,000 in East Jerusalem, according to Palestinian estimates, in colonies that the United Nations considers illegal.
K.T
