Israeli Minister Pushes for West Bank Annexation Following Trump Victory

In a bold escalation of Israeli policy, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced preparations to annex the occupied West Bank, leveraging former U.S. President Donald Trump’s re-election as a catalyst for his far-reaching plans. Speaking to his Religious Zionism party, Smotrich described Trump’s return as an “important opportunity” to implement Israeli sovereignty over Palestinian territories captured in 1967, a move that would fundamentally reshape the region.

Palestinian leader Dr. Hanan Ashrawi voiced her condemnation of the plan, highlighting the broader implications of such policies on X (formerly Twitter). “When Israeli officials (Netanyahu & Smotrich) openly declare their intention to impose Israeli sovereignty over all the West Bank, they’re just articulating what they’ve been doing gradually over decades,” Ashrawi posted from her account @DrHananAshrawi. She accused American officials of “disingenuously denying that this is Israeli policy” and warned that “Annexation, land theft, ethnic cleansing, & erasure of Palestine are the genocidal intent of Israel. Observe carefully.”

In a statement released by his office, Smotrich instructed relevant authorities to “begin professional and comprehensive staff work to prepare the necessary infrastructure” for extending sovereignty, solidifying his push for official annexation. His role within the defense ministry, overseeing illegal settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, gives him significant influence over this policy shift.

The move echoes Israel’s unilateral annexations of East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights, which received rare international recognition under Trump’s previous administration. Far-right figures in Israel, including Smotrich, see Trump’s victory as a strategic chance to gain U.S. approval for further territorial expansion. “The time has come to apply sovereignty,” Smotrich declared, signaling his intent to convince the Trump administration to formally support annexing the entire West Bank.

The international community has expressed concern over Israel’s aggressive push for annexation, a policy that could dismantle the remaining framework for a two-state solution. Palestinian leaders warn that such actions violate international law, undermining decades of peace efforts. Ashrawi’s statement, widely shared online, underscores the gravity of the situation and the potential for heightened tensions and unrest.

With Smotrich’s plans underway, the future of the West Bank, and indeed the wider Middle Eastern stability, remains at a critical juncture. The world watches closely as the Israeli government positions itself to reshape the political landscape with the backing of an administration supportive of its controversial ambitions.