Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has ignited a significant debate by calling for a full-scale war in the occupied West Bank, urging the military to employ tactics mirroring those seen in Gaza. This unprecedented declaration has been met with condemnation and concern from international observers. Smotrich, a vocal proponent of anti-Palestinian rhetoric, has repeatedly emphasized his views on annexation and the dismantling of Palestinian Authority territories under Israeli control. His inflammatory language, characterized by dehumanizing narratives, has been a consistent feature of his public statements, further fueling tensions.
In an interview published on Sunday, Smotrich detailed his vision for a ‘war’ in the West Bank, suggesting a return to the violence of the Gaza conflict. He referenced the devastating consequences of the ongoing genocide in Gaza and stated that Israel should ‘do what it did in Gaza’ in response to a question on how Israel should combat increasing security tensions in the West Bank. This call for military action has been interpreted by some as a genuine threat, while others view it as mere political rhetoric.
Smotrich’s comments come as Israel continues its ongoing genocidal war in Gaza, which has led to a significant crackdown in the West Bank, arrests of thousands of Palestinians, and a diminished focus on Palestinian citizens’ rights. He also pushed for the annexation of southern Lebanon and Gaza’s territories under Israeli control, arguing that this would make Israel’s enemies ‘pay a price’ for the Hamas-led attack on October 7th.
Furthermore, Smotrich has expressed support for the annexation of parts of Gaza and Lebanon, suggesting that this would allow Israel to seize territory and facilitate the plunder of Palestinian land. He has previously advocated for the annexation of more than 80% of the West Bank and has publicly opposed the so-called two-state solution.
Legal scholars and campaigners, including Suhad Bishara at Adalah, have cautioned that Smotrich’s remarks represent a dangerous escalation of tensions and a potential threat to Palestinian security. Bishara stated that ‘Smotrich is not only proposing a ‘war’ on Palestinians in the West Bank, he is already waging one,’ highlighting the intensified military operations and the escalating violence in the region.
Israel continues to occupy southern Lebanon and has seen a significant increase in Israeli shelling and demolitions in the region, despite a US-brokered ceasefire in June. Smotrich has added to the narrative by declaring that Israel has launched a ‘revolution in settlement’ expansion, after the Israeli cabinet approved the establishment of 13 new illegal settlements in the central occupied West Bank, further increasing the Israeli grip on the territory.
This escalation of Israeli actions in the West Bank, including ongoing military operations and settler violence, has been condemned by international organizations and governments. The UN Security Council last September detailed that Israel committed genocide in Gaza, and the ICC has requested a warrant for Smotrich’s arrest, accusing him of forced displacement orders for Palestinians, support for moving Israeli settlers into occupied territory, and the claim that it may be ‘justified and moral’ to starve Palestinians in Gaza.
Analysts agree with Bishara’s assessment, stating that Smotrich’s comments represent a warning and that ‘the government’s vision, and it will continue to do so, is to continue to expand Israeli settlements and to push for more violence against the Palestinians.’
Mairav Zonszein, an analyst on Israel-Palestine at the International Crisis Group, said that Smotrich and his allies have been using settlement expansion and settler violence not only to expand their control, but also to provoke a Palestinian response. She explained that Smotrich and this government and the settler movement that he funds and resources … are at war in the Westbank.
Smotrich’s words should not be dismissed as mere election rhetoric, warned Mekelberg, adding that ‘they are a warning and states must take concrete, immediate measures to halt the assault on Palestinians and the commission of egregious crimes against them.’
The risks posed by Smotrich’s statements are a translation of the policies pursued by the Israeli government, and it may be a sign of what he will continue to do if he remains in power.
Experts warned that this is the culmination of Israeli policies, and that they may be a translation of what they’ve been doing, and this is what they will continue to do as long as they’re in power.
Source: Al Jazeera
