In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, it is Minister Bezalel Smotrich who has become the face of right-wing extremist efforts to prevent a Palestinian state in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The tensions have been escalating since the Hamas massacre on October 7, with frequent clashes between Israeli forces and militant Palestinians in cities like Tulkarem and Jenin.
In response to this volatile situation, Israel has decided to move forward with settlement expansion in the West Bank. Recently, an area of 12.7 square kilometers in the Jordan Valley was declared “state land” by Israeli authorities, marking the largest land appropriation since the Oslo Accords in 1993. This allows for settlement construction in the area, despite it previously being considered a military restricted zone.
The Israeli government has also discussed plans to build 6,000 new housing units in various settlements in the West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law. While this move has drawn criticism from the international community, it has been praised by Minister Smotrich, who sees settlement expansion as a way to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state. Smotrich holds key positions in the Israeli government and is instrumental in approving thousands of new housing units in the West Bank. He has garnered support from both the government and opposition for his push towards advancing settlements and annexing the West Bank.
Smotrich’s influence on Israeli policy was recently demonstrated when he secured legalization for illegal outposts in exchange for releasing tax money to the Palestinian Authority. His actions signal a shift towards further entrenchment in occupied territories and raise concerns about what this may mean for future peace negotiations. Overall, tensions remain contentious as settlement expansion continues to fuel tensions between Israelis and Palestinians.
