Israeli far-right minister calls for annexation of West Bank lands

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a far-right politician, called for the annexation of all vacant lands in the occupied West Bank, which constitute roughly 82% of the territory. Smotrich said the time has come to incorporate Palestinian lands in the West Bank into Israel.

Threats against Palestinian Authority

Smotrich warned that Israel will not allow the establishment of a Palestinian state and threatened the Palestinian Authority. He said that any challenge would be met with the same fate as Hamas.

Bezalel Smotrich, a far-right Israeli lawmaker and leader of the Religious Zionism party, speaks during a rally with supporters in the southern Israeli city of Sderot, 26 October 2022. (AFP Photo)

Smotrich, known for supporting Israeli settlers taking Palestinian lands, urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to annex all vacant lands in the West Bank. The move comes after France, Belgium, and other countries announced recognition of a Palestinian state, prompting Tel Aviv to raise the threat of annexation.

Israeli army take security measures as Jewish settlers under Israeli protection raid on Old City in Hebron, West Bank, August 23, 2025. (AA Photo)

Background on West Bank occupation

Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, and roughly 250 illegal settlements have been established on confiscated Palestinian lands. Israeli media reported that Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told U.S. counterpart Marco Rubio that Israel is preparing to annex parts of the occupied West Bank in the coming months.

September 03, 2025 01:26 PM GMT+03:00