The community of Ma’ale Adumim. Photo: David Mosberg via Wikimedia Commons.

JNS.org – The Israeli government on Wednesday approved the transfer of $11 million to fund bolstered security for communities in Judea and Samaria.

The funding, which will be issued immediately, includes a one-time payment of $9.9 million to government authorities in the region as well as $1.1 million for first aid stations.

HaBayit HaYehudi MK Bezalel Smotrich noted that such funds for Judea and Samaria communities “have been transferred to the local authorities every year for 17 years as compensation for exceptional security expenses,” Haaretz reported.

“The authorities in Judea and Samaria are forced to expend very large sums on security expenses that are not directly budgeted,” said Smotrich.

In October, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had stated that some $230 million would be allocated by his government to build new infrastructure in Judea and Samaria, including five major highways.