Smotrich Urges West Bank War Mirroring Gaza Tactics

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich advocated for full-scale military action in the occupied West Bank. He urged forces to employ strategies similar to those used in Gaza during recent conflicts. This statement appeared in a Sunday interview, raising concerns among analysts ahead of upcoming national elections scheduled for next month.

The minister proposed dismantling the Palestinian Authority, which he labeled a terror entity. He demanded the removal of all weapons and tunnels from Judea and Samaria. Additionally, Smotrich called for annexing territories within Gaza up to the Yellow Line. He also expressed desire to annex southern Lebanon up to the Litani River boundary.

Suhad Bishara from Adalah stated that Smotrich is already waging war through displacement. She described his public comments as an intent to commit severe crimes against humanity. Bishara emphasized that refugee camps have been destroyed and residents forcibly displaced under current policies. She warned these actions constitute a declared plan to seize land by force.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the remarks as an invitation to escalate aggression. Officials stated these plans aim to impose new realities by force on occupied land. They argued such moves undermine the possibility of establishing an independent Palestinian state. The ministry urged the international community to take immediate concrete measures against this aggression.

Analysts caution against dismissing these statements as mere election rhetoric. Mairav Zonszein noted the government is effectively at war in the West Bank now. Yossi Mekelberg added that today’s rhetoric could become tomorrow’s policy if voters endorse this ideology. He warned that re-election might serve as an endorsement of such dangerous expansionist attitudes.