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Arab-Israeli conflicts

Israel's Far-Right Minister Unveils Plan to Annexe West Bank

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Israeli Finance Minister Belazel Smotrich has outlined a plan to annex the occupied West Bank, transferring legal authority from the Israeli military to Jewish settlers. In a speech to settlers, Smotrich described the proposal as "mega-dramatic" and claimed it would change the "system's DNA." The plan, implemented 18 months ago, aims to gradually spread Israeli law over the Palestinian territories.

According to Smotrich, the government has allowed the defense ministry to remain involved in the process to deflect international scrutiny. The plan's implementation has already begun, with parts of it incrementally implemented. Smotrich's goal is to create a de facto annexation without explicitly spelling it out.

The civilian authority that would take over would spread Israeli law over the Palestinian territories, particularly in Area C, which comprises 60% of the West Bank and is home to approximately 400,000 Israeli settlers and 300,000 Palestinians. Under the plan, Israeli settlers would gain control over the land, while Palestinians would be subjected to Israeli law.

Smotrich's proposal is part of a broader effort by Israeli far-right ministers to drive Palestinians out of the West Bank. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Smotrich have implemented joint policies to annex the Jordan Valley and expel Palestinian communities.

Netanyahu's government has supported the plan, with the prime minister repeating his position against establishing a Palestinian state. Despite US and EU protests, the Israeli government has allowed settler mobs to attack Palestinian villages and nomadic settlements, leading to the voluntary displacement of residents.

Key Takeaways:

  • Israeli Finance Minister Belazel Smotrich has outlined a plan to annex the occupied West Bank, transferring legal authority from the Israeli military to Jewish settlers.
  • The plan, implemented 18 months ago, aims to gradually spread Israeli law over the Palestinian territories.
  • Hebrew-speaking settlers would gain control over the land, while Palestinians would be subjected to Israeli law.
  • Smotrich's goal is to create a de facto annexation without explicitly spelling it out.
  • The plan is part of a broader effort by Israeli far-right ministers to drive Palestinians out of the West Bank.
  • National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Smotrich have implemented joint policies to annex the Jordan Valley and expel Palestinian communities.
  • Netanyahu's government has supported the plan, with the prime minister repeating his position against establishing a Palestinian state.

Statistics:

  • 60%: Area C of the West Bank, which is under Israeli military control and home to approximately 400,000 Israeli settlers and 300,000 Palestinians.
  • 18 months: The length of time since the implementation of the annexation plan.
  • 400,000: The number of Israeli settlers living in Area C.
  • 300,000: The number of Palestinians living in Area C.
  • 500: The number of residential areas in Area C where Palestinians live.
  • 2-state solution: The solution proposed by the US that is being undermined by Israel's annexation plan.

Sources:

  • The New York Times
  • Al Nisr Publishing LLC
  • SyndiGate Media Inc.

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