The Jerusalem Governorate has reported a significant increase in Israeli settlement activities in Jerusalem and its surroundings. According to the governorate's advisor, Marouf Al-Rafai, a total of 124 settlement plans and activities have been recorded since the beginning of 2026. These activities include various settlement projects, such as structural plans, settlement projects, establishment of outposts, road construction, and land-related procedures.
The Jerusalem Governorate has provided detailed information on the settlement activities. Out of the 124 recorded activities, 38 plans have been deposited, which include the construction of 5914 residential settlement units on a total area of 1887 dunums. Additionally, 27 settlement plans have been approved, which include the construction of 2443 residential settlement units on a total area of 541 dunums.
The Israeli authorities have also invited tenders for several settlement projects. During the first half of 2026, 7 settlement plans were put out to tender, and 3 more in July, and 2 in August. These projects include a total of 7578 residential settlement units. The projects also include tenders and plans related to infrastructure and road construction.
The Jerusalem Governorate has expressed concern over the increasing settlement activities in Jerusalem and its surroundings. According to Al-Rafai, the acceleration of settlement activities is evident in the transition of several projects from the planning stages to more advanced stages, including deposit, approval, and tendering.
One of the notable settlement projects is the "E1" project, which is being pushed forward. In August, a tender was issued for the construction of 1234 residential settlement units, and in September, the Israeli authorities issued tenders for the construction of the remaining units, totaling 3401. The tenders are expected to be completed before the Israeli elections in October.
The Jerusalem Governorate has warned that the settlement activities pose a significant threat to the Palestinian areas surrounding Jerusalem. According to Al-Rafai, the construction of these settlement projects will lead to the creation of a contiguous settlement bloc that will isolate Palestinian neighborhoods and towns.
The governorate's advisor emphasized that the danger of these projects lies not only in the number of residential units but also in their location and geographical connection. The projects will have a significant impact on the Palestinian areas, limiting their urban expansion and deepening the separation of Jerusalem from its Palestinian surroundings.
Key points
- The Jerusalem Governorate has recorded 124 Israeli settlement plans and activities since early 2026.
- The settlement projects include the construction of over 18,000 residential units.
- The projects pose a significant threat to Palestinian areas surrounding Jerusalem.
