Israel approves $37m to seize more than 70 occupied West Bank sites

The allocated funding seeks to accelerate Israel’s control of historical landmarks across the occupied West Bank.Published On 5 Aug 20265 Aug 2026Israeli Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich has announced a 113 million shekel ($37m) allocation to take control of more than 70 historical sites across the occupied West Bank.The funding, approved by a government steering committee on Tuesday, builds on a 250 million shekel ($83m) plan approved in May aimed at claiming archaeological sites across the West Bank, the Jordan Valley and elsewhere.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Funeral for family killed in US strike on Iran’s Qeshm Islandlist 2 of 3One killed, 12 injured in Russian ballistic missile attack on Kyivlist 3 of 3Armed man arrested at Trump’s LA golf course ahead of president’s visitend of listThe committee said in a statement that the Settlements Ministry is set to receive 157 million shekels ($52m) in direct funding, along with a further 142 million shekels ($47m) in commitment authorisations.The new allocation lands on the same day that the Knesset’s Finance Committee separately approved close to 300 million shekels (about $99m) in direct funding and commitments ...