Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich Calls for Unilateral Sovereignty Claim over West Bank

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced that Israel should issue a unilateral declaration of sovereignty over the occupied West Bank before the upcoming national elections. Speaking at an event in the illegal Karnei Shomron settlement near the city of Kalkilya, he described the move as a "final answer" to international campaigns against Israel’s actions in the territory and argued it was a necessary step ahead of the vote.

Smotrich also referenced recent Israeli air strikes on Lebanon’s Dahiye area, warning of further retaliation if attacks recur. International law regards the West Bank, seized in 1967, as occupied Palestinian land and deems any annexation or transfer of Israeli civilians there illegal. The minister’s remarks revive longstanding debates over possible Israeli annexation of parts of the West Bank.