Israeli minister orders preparations for West Bank annexation

(CLO) Israeli Finance Minister and Defense Minister Bezalel Smotrich has ordered preparations for the annexation of the occupied West Bank.

Mr Smotrich hopes that the new administration of Mr Donald Trump will recognise the plan, which aims to strengthen Israel's "sovereignty" over the occupied territory.

Bezalel Smotrich has previously stated his intention to extend Israeli sovereignty over the occupied territories, preventing the establishment of a Palestinian state. Photo: Amir Cohen / Reuters

In his dual roles in Israel’s finance and defense ministries, Mr. Smotrich also oversees settlements and land in the West Bank. He has publicly called 2025 “the year of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria” – Israel’s biblical name for the West Bank.

During a meeting with the far-right in the Israeli parliament (Knesset) on Monday, Mr. Smotrich praised Mr. Trump’s election victory over Ms. Harris. He also directed the Defense Ministry’s administrative and settlement coordination agencies to begin preparing the infrastructure necessary for annexation of the West Bank.

“I have no doubt that President Trump, who showed courage and determination in his first term, will support the State of Israel in this step,” said Mr. Smotrich.

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, criticized Smotrich's statements, saying they demonstrated Israel's intention to annex the West Bank in defiance of international law. He also stressed that the United States bears responsibility for its continued support for Israel's actions.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said that although settler leaders were confident that Mr Trump would support the move, the Israeli government had not yet made a formal decision. “We will discuss this with our partners in Washington if necessary,” Saar said.

Since Israel occupied the West Bank in 1967, settlements have expanded despite being considered illegal under international law and Israeli law in the case of some outposts.

During his first term, Mr. Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, breaking with longstanding U.S. policy and international consensus. Mr. Trump also supported expanding settlements and proposed a plan for a “Palestinian entity” without full sovereignty.

Earlier this year, the Israeli Defense Ministry granted additional authority over the occupied West Bank to the Smotrich-led Settlement Management Board, including control over building planning and land management.

Since joining Netanyahu's coalition government, Mr Smotrich has publicly supported expanding settlements in the West Bank as steps towards full annexation of the territory.

Hong Hanh (according to Aljazeera)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/tin-tuong-ong-trump-sieu-bo-truong-israel-ra-lenh-chuan-bi-sap-nhap-bo-tay-post320994.html