DaysofPal- Following Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich ordered his department to prepare for the annexation of the occupied West Bank.
Smotrich stated that “the time has come to apply sovereignty” over the West Bank and that Trump’s victory presented an “important opportunity” during a meeting of his far-right Religious Zionism party.
Netanyahu intended to “annex” the illegal Jewish settlements in the Jordan Valley and West Bank in 2020, citing Trump’s alleged Middle East peace plan that was unveiled in January of that year.
Netanyahu planned to annex at that time constitute about 30% of the West Bank. His plan, however, wasn’t launched under international pressure and a lack of US approval.
Smotrich welcomed Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris in the US presidential election and confirmed that he had directed the Defense Ministry’s Settlement Directorate and Civil Administration to prepare the way for annexation during a meeting of his far-right faction in the Israeli parliament, or Knesset, on Monday.
“I have no doubt that President Trump, who showed courage and determination in his decisions during his first term, will support the State of Israel in this move,” he said.
He stated that there is widespread consensus within Israel’s ruling coalition in favor of the move and opposition to the creation of a Palestinian state.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell condemned the Israeli move, saying he “unequivocally condemn[s]” Smotrich’s call to “apply sovereignty” in the West Bank, describing it as a “clear step towards illegal annexation”.
While Israel continues its genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, in the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces and settlers have ramped up their attacks on people, often under the protection of Israeli army.
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