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World
Israeli Settlements: EU Reports 54 New Official Settlements in West Bank in 2025
Herz — World Desk · · 30s summary · 3 min read
The essentials
The European External Action Service (EEAS), the EU's diplomatic arm, published its annual report on July 17, 2026, documenting Israeli settlement expansion in occupied Palestinian territories. In 2025, the Israeli government approved 54 new official settlements in the West Bank—an annual record. Additionally, 86 informal outposts were established, 58 with agricultural or pastoral purposes. A total of 63,311 housing units were planned—more than double the previous 2023 record. The number of Israeli settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem now approaches 800,000. The EEAS describes this expansion trajectory as leading toward de facto annexation and erosion of Palestinian statehood.
- 54 new official settlements approved in West Bank in 2025, an annual record according to EEAS
- 86 new settler outposts established, including 58 with agricultural or pastoral purposes
- 63,311 planned housing units—more than double the 2023 record and sharply up from 2018
- Nearly 800,000 Israeli settlers now in West Bank and East Jerusalem
- EEAS describes trajectory toward de facto annexation, threatening viability of Palestinian state
What we know
The European External Action Service (EEAS), the diplomatic arm of the European Union, published its annual report on July 17, 2026, covering Israeli settlement expansion in occupied Palestinian territories throughout 2025.
In 2025, the Israeli government approved 54 new official settlements in the occupied West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem. This is the highest annual figure ever recorded, according to the report.
According to the same report, 86 new settler outposts—informal settlements not officially approved in advance but potentially legalized later—were established on the ground in 2025, with 58 designated for agricultural or pastoral purposes.
The surveyed projects encompass a total of 63,311 settler housing units: 27,941 in the West Bank and 35,370 covered by 56 separate plans in East Jerusalem. This total is more than double the previous record set in 2023, compared to 11,513 units advanced in 2018.
The number of Israeli settlers present in the West Bank and East Jerusalem now approaches 800,000. They are integrated into an institutional system supported by extensive infrastructure.
The EEAS Assessment
The EEAS describes the settlement project as combining construction, legalization of outposts, land confiscation, settler violence, and administrative modifications. According to the European body, these dynamics constitute an accelerated path toward de facto annexation of the West Bank, compromising prospects for a viable Palestinian state.
Key Figures
54
New official settlements approved in West Bank in 2025 (annual record)
86
New settler outposts established in 2025, including 58 for agriculture or pastoral use
63,311
Settler housing units planned in West Bank and East Jerusalem
≈ 800,000
Israeli settlers in West Bank and East Jerusalem
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