Bezalel Smotrich, Israel's Minister of Finance and a key figure in the settler movement, has been a central figure in the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. As of May 2026, his policies have drawn sharp criticism from the international community, including the United Nations and the European Union, which view settlements as illegal under international law.
Smotrich, who also holds authority over civil administration in the West Bank, has advanced plans for thousands of new housing units in settlements. In 2025, his ministry approved over 4,500 new settlement homes, according to reports from Peace Now, an Israeli watchdog. These actions have been condemned by Palestinian leaders and human rights groups as obstacles to peace.
The United States, under the Biden administration, has repeatedly urged Israel to halt settlement expansion, but Smotrich has dismissed such calls, arguing that the land is historically Jewish. His rhetoric has included statements about Palestinian statehood being a threat to Israel, further fueling tensions.
In February 2026, the International Criminal Court (ICC) faced renewed calls to investigate settlement activities as potential war crimes, though no formal charges have been filed against Smotrich personally. The situation remains a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
