Religious Zionist Party leader Bezalel Smotrich harshly criticized for failing to prevent the demolition. Sources close to Smotrich say move could not be prevented as buildings were built either on private Arab land or on state land without permit.
In February, following the terrorist attack in Neve Ya'akov, the government announced that nine communities in Judea and Samaria would get official status. Although some progress has been made, on the ground things appear to be stuck fast. The IDF stresses that "once the staff work has been completed for each of the settlements, the orders will be signed."
Israel Hayom can reveal that a previously unknown discussion between the Accountant General Department’s officials and members of the Finance Ministry's legal counsel was aimed at undoing a decision by former Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked to transfer tens of millions of shekels to the coffers of Jewish municipalities in Judea and Samaria.
Security officials also concerned over rise in the number of Jewish terrorists who are not organically linked to the so-called “hilltop youth” or extremist groups. "There is a system in the area in which they come to create friction, agitate, and try to provoke the Palestinians. It creates tensions that shouldn't exist," a Shin Bet official says.
A joint Israel Hayom – Im Tirtzu exposé shows that only two homes have been demolished so far for terrorists who carried out attacks in 2023, despite more than 12 deadly attacks being carried out involving 17 perpetrators.
GOC Central Command Yehuda Fuchs not heeding requests to send enough troops to secure enforcement operations. Sources: He fears being accused of selective action in light of lax policy toward Jewish communities.
The long-awaited update was limited in scope due to budget restrictions and was only able to review the original list of 112 companies.
Rare statement comes after Jews torch at least two homes in the Palestinian village Umm Safa near Ramallah over the weekend. The IDF said at least one Israeli suspect had been arrested.
"These are insane numbers," a source familiar with the matter says with regard to the construction plans, adding that Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the main driving force behind the initiative, did a lot of the work behind the scenes.
The Higher Planning Committee is set to meet next week to approve 4,560 new housing units in communities throughout the region.