Ten of the settlements are existing outposts that are to be legalized, while the rest have not yet been built. The 34 settlements are in addition to 68 that have already been approved since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing government took office in 2022.
Sweden and other EU countries condemn Israel's actions as a "clear violation of international law" that "undermines ongoing efforts for peace and stability in the region," according to a statement from the Swedish Foreign Ministry.
Over 500,000 Israelis live in settlements in the West Bank, where around three million Palestinians live.
