Regavim NGO Gains Influence in Israeli Government, Shaping West Bank Settlement Policy (haaretz.com)

• Regavim is an Israeli NGO promoting Jewish settlements.
• Its former director Bezalel Smotrich is now Finance Minister.
• Regavim's policies are now de facto implemented by the Israeli government.

"The Israeli NGO Regavim, which advocates for Jewish settlement in the West Bank, has seen its influence rise significantly as its former director, Bezalel Smotrich, now serves as Finance Minister with authority over settlement policy. Regavim's mapping and lobbying activities have become de facto government policy, leading to increased settlement expansion and legal challenges against Palestinian construction. The organization's close ties to coalition members have allowed it to bypass traditional oversight, raising concerns about the erosion of rule of law in the occupied territories."