Israeli Culture Minister Miki Zohar has applauded the government’s move to set up more illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, saying he hopes they continue to multiply — with US support — across the territory, Al Jazeera reports.

“Settlements are a guiding light for us; we are expanding and strengthening them,” Zohar said in comments carried by Israel’s Arutz Sheva media.

Ongoing settlement projects in the occupied West Bank are a “significant achievement”, he said, adding, “perhaps soon we will do the same in Gaza”.

However, “no less important than settlements is the task of sovereignty,” he stressed, apparently referring to Israeli annexation of Palestinian territory. “Once we implement sovereignty, we can say we have accomplished something real.”

Zohar said he believes Trump is “supportive” of such plans and that “the goal is to advance this with the Americans so that we have their backing.”