A call from Israel’s ultranationalist
finance minister to use
Donald Trump’s election win
as an opportunity to annex parts of
the occupied West Bank
has drawn international condemnation and fueled fears about the U.S. ally’s plans.
Bezalel Smotrich
said Monday that “the time has come” to extend Israeli sovereignty over settlements in the area — land recognized by the international community as belonging to Palestinians in their quest for a future state.
The Israeli minister welcomed the president-elect’s victory and said that he would seek Trump’s support for the move.
“I intend, with God’s help, to lead a government decision that says that the government of Israel will work with the new administration of President Trump and the international community to apply Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria,” he said, using a name employed by many Israelis for the West Bank.
Discussions on plans to annex parts of the West Bank were held
between Israel and Washington
during Trump’s first term, and Smotrich said that he would push his government to engage with the incoming administration to gain support.
“We will apply the sovereignty, together with our American friends,” he added.
Smotrich added that he would seek international recognition for sovereignty over the West Bank, but his announcement quickly drew global condemnation.
A State Department spokesperson called the comments “disturbing” and “not conducive to building an enduring peace.”
The Biden administration has “reiterated consistently the clear position of the United States in support of a two-state solution as part of a negotiated process that provides for an independent Palestinian state, with security guarantees for Israel,” the spokesperson said.
Germany’s ambassador in Israel, Steffen Seibert, “strongly condemned” Smotrich’s statement, which he said was “an open call for annexation.”
“Any preparation to implement this goal is in full breach of international law,” he wrote on X.
Condemning Smotrich’s call “in the strongest possible terms,” Qatar’s ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement that it represented a “blatant violation of international law.”
Note: Thank you for visiting our website! We strive to keep you informed with the latest updates based on expected timelines, although please note that we are not affiliated with any official bodies. Our team is committed to ensuring accuracy and transparency in our reporting, verifying all information before publication. We aim to bring you reliable news, and if you have any questions or concerns about our content, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!