How did Ariel Sharon promote Israeli settlements as housing minister?

As minister of construction and housing from 1990 to 1992, Ariel Sharon actively promoted the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied territories, continuing a policy he had previously championed as minister of agriculture in the late 1970s.1

During his tenure as housing minister, Sharon oversaw the intensification of settlement activity in these areas. This approach was consistent with his long-standing political stance, which included strong opposition to the creation of a Palestinian state and a focus on strengthening Israel's presence in the territories occupied after the 1967 war. His efforts were part of a broader government strategy that utilized financial incentives and infrastructure development to encourage the growth of these communities.123

It is important to note that the establishment and expansion of these settlements remain a subject of significant international controversy, with many bodies, including the United Nations, regarding them as illegal under international law, a position that Israel disputes.23