Religious Settlement Network Reshapes West Bank Landscape
DID Press: A Reuters investigation has found that a network linked to two Israeli brothers has helped expand Jewish settlement outposts in the occupied West Bank through construction, infrastructure development and the establishment of farms.
According to the Reuters investigation, Eliav Libi and Harel “Coco” Libi have played a role in creating and developing Jewish settlement outposts in the West Bank through their construction activities.
The network has been involved in establishing at least nine unauthorized settlement outposts since 2023. Through the construction of prefabricated homes, roads, infrastructure and farms, it has helped expand the presence of Israeli settlers into additional areas.
Eliav Libi also serves on the board of the “Farms” association, a network associated with the religious Zionist movement that supports the expansion of farms and settlement by Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
According to documents reviewed by Reuters, companies and settlements linked to the Libi family received about 168,000 shekels in government funding between 2021 and 2025, while more than 107,000 shekels in additional funding was approved for the current year.
Reuters also reported that since 2022, about 434 Palestinians, mostly Bedouin herders, have left areas surrounding outposts linked to the network, while Palestinian access to about 10,000 hectares of land has been restricted.
Harel Libi and a construction company associated with him have previously been sanctioned by the United Kingdom. London accused them of supporting the establishment of unauthorized settlement outposts and activities that contribute to the displacement of Palestinians.
Taken together, the developments point to the growing role of private networks, religious movements and parts of Israel’s state apparatus in the expansion of settlements in the West Bank. Reuters has reported that many such outposts are considered illegal under international law, while Israel disputes the characterization of the West Bank as occupied territory.