> religious zionism leader and finance minister bezalel smotrich has been handed broad authority over civilian issues in the west bank, enabling him to deepen israels presence in the west bank, increase settlement construction and thwart palestinian development. > the authorities being transferred to smotrich  following an extended internal coalition battle over the issue  include enforcement powers over illegal construction, authority over planning and construction for settlements and land allocation matters. > the agreement between smotrich and defense minister yoav gallant appears to give the ultranationalist leader sweeping powers over the territory, and allow him to advance his goal of thwarting palestinian aspirations for a state in the west bank by enabling the israeli population there to substantially expand.
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