Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Tuesday brushed aside U.S. criticism of new West Bank settlement construction and promised to legalize dozens of outposts in the occupied territory, The Associated Press reported.

Smotrich spoke less than a day after Washington said the U.S. strongly opposes Israel's plans for large-scale settlement construction in the West Bank and the intention to retroactively legalize nine outposts.

Smotrich, a religious ultra-nationalist settler, declared that he and his allies were committed to the complete removal of restrictions on building in Judea and Samaria, naming the West Bank by biblical names.

Smotrich was promised authority in the defense establishment responsible for the West Bank settlements as part of his coalition agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

According to the Israeli finance minister, once he receives this authority, he will act to normalize life for the more than 500,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank.

Smotrich also said that he would transfer authority over Israeli civilians to the ministries.

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said he was "deeply concerned" about Israel's decision, but gave no indication that the U.S. would take action against Israel.

Smotrich responded to Blinken's rebuke by saying that the government had made their position clear to the Americans and that differences are resolved even among friends.

Israel seized the West Bank along with East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Middle East War. The Palestinians seek a future independent state in these territories.

Most of the international community considers the Israeli settlements illegal and an obstacle to peace. About 700,000 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

On Sunday, Netanyahu's cabinet unanimously authorized the legalization of nine settlement outposts and said it would soon approve additional construction in existing settlements. Smotrich said that about 10,000 new houses should be approved.