Dramatic Growth in the West Bank, Rise in Jewish Terrorism: Smotrich's Promises and the Reality

The article examines the fulfillment of Minister Bezalel Smotrich's promises in Judea and Samaria during his four-year tenure: 103 new settlements were approved, the civilian administration's Israelization was accelerated, about 140 farms were established over a million dunams, and a return to northern Samaria began. Alongside this, there was a rise in nationalist crime and settler violence, while Palestinian terror incidents decreased.

The article examines the fulfillment of Minister Bezalel Smotrich's promises in Judea and Samaria during his four-year tenure in the current government. Smotrich, who serves as a minister in the Defense Ministry and also as Finance Minister, led a series of moves that turned promises into reality on the ground: 103 new settlements were approved, including young settlements and outposts recognized as settlements; the de facto Israelization of the Civil Administration was accelerated, with powers transferred from a military base to an industrial zone; the Farms Association was established, now comprising about 140 farms over more than a million dunams – three times the area of all settlements and cities in the West Bank combined; and a return to northern Samaria began, with the establishment of Sha-Nur and approvals for additional settlements. Alongside the achievements, there was a rise in nationalist crime and settler violence, including daytime attacks and larger-scale damage. The police set up an inter-organizational command to handle nationalist incidents. Peace Now criticized Smotrich as a sectoral minister who deepened Israel's international isolation. Smotrich's office stated that this is a historic revolution aimed at fortifying Israel's security and uprooting the idea of a terrorist state.