Israeli Minister Bezalel Smotrich Urges West Bank War and Dissolution of Palestinian Authority

Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has urged Israel to initiate a war in the occupied West Bank, dismantle the Palestinian Authority, and conduct military actions similar to those seen in Gaza. During an appearance on Ynet's podcast on Sunday, Mr. Smotrich, who leads the Religious Zionism party, stated that Israel must eliminate what he termed the Palestinian Authority's 'terror infrastructure' and halt the activities of armed groups in the region.

He emphasized the necessity for Israel to wage war in the West Bank, replicating their actions in Gaza to dismantle the Palestinian Authority, which he characterized as a 'terror authority.' His objective is to ensure that the West Bank is completely devoid of terrorist infrastructure, weapons, and tunnels.

In response, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned Mr. Smotrich's statements as dangerous calls for war, escalation, annexation, and displacement, designed to obstruct the creation of an independent Palestinian state. The ministry stated that these remarks reflect the broader policies of the Israeli government, which involve killing, displacement, settlement expansion, land seizure, and the use of force in the occupied Palestinian territory.

'The Palestinian Authority and the institutions of the State of Palestine are integral to the Palestinian national project and to the realisation of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state,' the ministry declared, adding that any attempts to dismantle them would carry full responsibility for the consequences. The ministry also criticized ongoing international silence, warning that it emboldens the Israeli government to advance its agenda and further destabilize the region. An appeal was made to the international community, particularly the UN Security Council and the US, to implement immediate and concrete measures to halt Israeli policies, protect Palestinian institutions, and advance peace based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Since capturing the West Bank in 1967, Israel has maintained a military occupation, alongside a massive expansion of Israeli Jewish settlements promoted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. While the UN and international law largely view these settlements as illegal, Israel disputes this status.

Additionally, Mr. Smotrich advocated for the annexation of parts of the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon currently under Israeli military control, framing territorial annexation as a direct reaction to the October 7, 2023, attack led by Hamas and Hezbollah's involvement in the ongoing regional conflict. More than 74,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the outbreak of the war. Mr. Smotrich, a key figure in Mr. Netanyahu's coalition, has previously proposed re-establishing Israeli settlements in Gaza, pushing Israel's northern border to the Litani, and annexing major portions of the West Bank, as these comments emerge ahead of an upcoming election at the end of October.