Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced on Monday that he hopes Israel will extend its sovereignty over the occupied West Bank in 2025, signaling his intention to press the government to seek U.S. support under the incoming Trump administration.
Smotrich, who also holds a supervisory role over West Bank settlements as part of his coalition agreement with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stated that he would urge the Israeli government to engage with the incoming U.S. administration to gain Washington’s backing for the move. In a meeting with his far-right faction in Israel’s parliament, Smotrich revealed that he had instructed authorities overseeing West Bank settlements to begin preparing the necessary infrastructure for what he described as the “extension of sovereignty.”
The idea of extending Israeli sovereignty into the West Bank has been a long-standing goal of Smotrich, who has long advocated for the annexation of the territory, which Palestinians envision as part of their future state. The West Bank, along with East Jerusalem and Gaza, was captured by Israel during the 1967 Middle East War, and is now home to a significant Israeli settler population.
While Smotrich’s remarks indicate a strong push for annexation, Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, tempered the enthusiasm by stating that no final decision had been made on the issue. “A decision has not yet been made,” Saar told reporters in Jerusalem. “The last time we discussed this was during President Trump’s first term, and if it becomes relevant again, it will be discussed with the U.S.”
Saar emphasized Israel’s position that the West Bank, which Israel refers to as Judea and Samaria, is not “occupied” but “disputed,” a stance that has long been a point of contention in international diplomacy. While the U.S. has historically supported a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, President Donald Trump’s administration took a more lenient approach toward Israeli settlement expansion and annexation proposals, raising speculation that Smotrich’s vision could gain traction under a second Trump presidency.
The announcement drew sharp criticism from Palestinian leaders. Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the spokesperson for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, condemned Smotrich’s comments, calling them further confirmation of Israel’s intent to annex the West Bank in violation of international law. “We hold the Israeli occupation authorities fully responsible for the repercussions of these dangerous policies,” Abu Rudeineh said, also blaming the United States for its continued support of Israel’s actions. “The U.S. is complicit in Israel’s aggression.”
The Palestinian Authority has long viewed the West Bank, along with Gaza and East Jerusalem, as the core of a future Palestinian state, a vision supported by the majority of the international community. However, Israel disputes this, citing historical, religious, and security claims to the land.
The prospect of Israel extending sovereignty into the West Bank has sparked widespread debate. While many Israeli right-wing politicians and settlers support such a move, critics warn that it could further undermine the possibility of a two-state solution and exacerbate tensions with Palestinians. The international community, including the United Nations, has repeatedly condemned Israel’s settlement activities in the West Bank, considering them illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this claim.
In 2020, during Trump’s first term, discussions were held between the U.S. and Israel about annexing parts of the West Bank, but the plans were put on hold following changes in political leadership in both countries.
As the situation develops, it remains unclear how the incoming U.S. administration will respond to Israel’s moves, especially given the Biden administration’s opposition to settlement expansion and its call for a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
