Israel's far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has instructed his department to prepare for the annexation of settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Smotrich, responsible for the settlements, aims to apply full Israeli law in these areas, a move that has drawn swift condemnation from the Palestinian Authority.
The Palestinian Authority criticized Smotrich's comments as a colonial and racist extension of the ongoing campaign against the Palestinian people. The spokesperson for the Palestinian Authority's presidency expressed concern over Israel's intentions to take control of the West Bank by 2025, holding both Israeli authorities and the US administration responsible for allowing such actions.
Smotrich highlighted US President-elect Donald Trump's victory as an opportunity for Israel, emphasizing the need to apply Israeli sovereignty over West Bank settlements to eliminate the threat of a Palestinian state. Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, expanding Jewish settlements in the area despite international law considering them illegal.
With around half a million Israelis residing in West Bank settlements, Smotrich's push for Israeli law in these areas aligns with his opposition to an independent Palestinian state. He aims to secure government approval to work with the new US administration and gain international recognition for applying sovereignty over the settlements.
During his first term, President Trump made pro-Israel decisions, such as recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital and acknowledging Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Smotrich sees an opportunity to capitalize on this support and achieve his goal of applying sovereignty over West Bank settlements.
Smotrich's announcement reflects the complex political landscape in Israel and the ongoing tensions in the region regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The potential implications of such a move on regional stability and international relations remain to be seen.
