Israel Hayom newspaper reported, citing sources, that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu removed the issue of annexing the West Bank from the agenda of cabinet meetings. This decision directly impacted Netanyahu’s future plans in the region.
Netanyahu called a small security meeting on Thursday titled “Situation Assessment in the West Bank.” The goal was to discuss the security implications of the recognition of a Palestinian state by several countries at the United Nations. Most recently, Belgium recognized it. This meeting comes in the context of the UAE’s warning of increased tensions in the region. However, Netanyahu continues to emphasize the importance of the discussion.
Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Tuesday that the meeting will also address “potential Israeli retaliatory steps,” most notably “imposing Israeli sovereignty” over parts of the occupied West Bank. It’s worth noting that the Emirati warning has influenced the assessment of the meeting’s outcomes. Netanyahu may continue to consider possible steps in this context.
According to the report, Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir were invited. Military officials were also invited to present their security assessments. These are regarding possible steps in light of the Emirati warning. Netanyahu continues to attach great importance to these assessments.
Smotrich reiterated on Wednesday that “the time has come to impose Israeli sovereignty” in the occupied West Bank. He declared that “if the Palestinian Authority raises its head and tries to harm us, Israel will annihilate it just as it annihilated Hamas.” These statements came after a meeting with Netanyahu.
Israeli annexation plan
He continued that the Israeli annexation plan will be imposed on 82% of the West Bank. Palestinians in the West Bank “will continue to govern their lives themselves,” in the immediate phase. This will occur in the same manner implemented today by the Palestinian Authority, and later through regional civil administration alternatives.
According to a map Smotrich presented, the annexation plan will not apply to 18% of the West Bank. These are the areas where the major Palestinian cities are located. He said that approximately 80,000 Palestinians live in the areas planned for annexation. Their status will be similar to that of Palestinians in occupied Jerusalem.
He considered that “80,000 is not demographically significant, and this would leave Israel with a Jewish majority.” According to his plan, Palestinians in this area would not be granted the right to vote for the Knesset. “In any case, they would have no possibility of democracy and no rights.” He claimed that “we are offering them today an absolute majority of democratic rights and freedoms.” Netanyahu may consider this plan to assess the future demographic situation.
Smotrich continued, “The sovereignty map must ensure that no Arab ‘terrorist’ state is established alongside our sovereignty. It must prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.” He added, “No settlement blocs, no Area C, no partial sovereignty. All of these leave the rest of the area for the enemy.”
According to him, “the highest principle for imposing sovereignty is the maximum amount of land and the minimum amount of population.” He claims that “we do not want to govern their lives. We have no desire to impose our sovereignty on a population that wants to destroy us.” This is a preemptive step against the planned political attack against us. He added, “If the Palestinian Authority dares to raise its head and try to harm us, we will annihilate it, just as we do Hamas.” Netanyahu’s statements on security and sovereignty may influence future trends.
Gush Emunim settlement movement in Hebron
Later, while participating in a conference commemorating the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Gush Emunim settlement movement in Hebron, Smotrich said he had “every reason to believe that sovereignty will be imposed on areas in the Gaza Strip before Judea and Samaria (the West Bank).” He continued, “The intention is to present Hamas with an ultimatum before launching the operation: if it does not respond, we will enter and impose sovereignty.” These statements require consultation with Netanyahu before any actual action.
For its part, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Smotrich’s statements, considering them an extension of a series of provocative calls made by more than one Israeli official. They fall within the framework of committing further crimes of settlement, annexation, genocide, and displacement of the Palestinian people. In a statement, the ministry stressed that all unilateral and illegal measures by the occupation and its plans to change the historical, political, and legal reality in the occupied West Bank, including Jerusalem, will not establish a right to occupy Palestinian land. They will be considered illegitimate and void from their foundation. This is a disregard for the international consensus that rejects the crimes of the occupation and settlement in all its forms. Netanyahu’s position is controversial in this context.
