Palestinians React Strongly to Israel’s Plan to Annex West Bank
Tensions are rising after Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich proposed applying Israeli sovereignty to about 82% of the occupied West Bank. This move would mean expanding settlements and effectively blocking the creation of a Palestinian state, a goal long pursued by Palestinians.
Palestinian officials quickly condemned the plan. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry called Smotrich’s remarks a “direct threat” to Palestinian rights and accused him of “public incitement” against the Palestinian Authority. They also said that any unilateral Israeli actions in the West Bank and Jerusalem are illegal and invalid under international law. The ministry urged the global community to step in and impose sanctions to stop what it called Israel’s violent crackdown and settlement expansion.
Hamas, the Palestinian group wielding significant influence in Gaza, also slammed the proposal. They warned that such measures would only lead to more conflict and resistance. Hamas called on Arab and Islamic countries to stand against Israel’s “colonial policies” that violate international laws and threaten the Palestinian cause.
Smotrich made his comments during a news conference in Jerusalem, saying Israel should move forward with applying sovereignty to most of the West Bank. He emphasized the goal of “maximum territory and minimum Palestinian population.” This initiative is seen as an effort to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.
According to Israeli media reports, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet with government ministers, including Smotrich, to discuss the annexation plan. Some see this move as a response to upcoming plans by European countries to recognize Palestine as a state at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The West Bank has been under Israeli control since 1967, when Israel captured the territory during the Six-Day War. Since then, Israel has built settlements on land that the international community largely considers illegal. These settlements are one of the main obstacles to peace talks, which have been halted since 2014.
The plan to annex parts of the West Bank has sparked fears across the region. The United Arab Emirates, which normalized relations with Israel in 2020 under U.S.-brokered agreements, said that Israel’s move to annex the West Bank would be a “red line” for them.
Palestinian officials, including President Mahmoud Abbas, strongly oppose any annexation, calling it “illegitimate, condemned, and unacceptable.” Even within Palestinian ranks, Hamas leader Abdel Hakim Hanini warned that annexation would not bring security to Israel but would instead lead to more resistance and conflict.
The international community is watching closely. Countries like France, Britain, Australia, and Canada have pledged to recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN session, further increasing diplomatic tensions. Meanwhile, Israel faces growing criticism over its actions in Gaza and the West Bank as the conflict in the region continues to escalate.
