Israeli Minister Declares 2025 the Year of Imposing Sovereignty on the West Bank... and Palestinian and Arab Warnings

Israeli Minister Smotrich announced that 2025 will be the year of sovereignty over the occupied West Bank with Trump's return to the White House. This statement was met with Palestinian and Arab condemnations, warning of the danger of such a step.

Israeli Finance Minister and Minister of Defense Bezalel Smotrich spoke during a session of his party's parliamentary bloc on Monday, saying that work towards imposing Israeli sovereignty in the occupied West Bank has begun, declaring 2025 "the year of sovereignty over the West Bank" with the return of Donald Trump to the White House.

The Hebrew newspaper Maariv quoted unnamed Israeli officials as saying that the issue had already been raised with US President-elect Donald Trump as one of the main points on which Israel wants to obtain his support.

The Hebrew newspaper reported that Smotrich's announcement of his position publicly comes after a period of quiet talks to avoid disturbing President Joe Biden's administration and not harming Trump's campaign.

The newspaper's sources said: "We were on the verge of imposing sovereignty over the settlements, and now it is time to do so. Today there is a broad consensus in the coalition and the opposition from all parts of the house (i.e. the Israeli parties) to oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state that threatens the existence of the State of Israel."

“I have instructed the Settlement Administration in the Defense Ministry and the Civil Administration to begin professional and comprehensive work to prepare the necessary infrastructure for imposing sovereignty,” Smotrich said. “At a later date, I intend to lead a government decision stating that the Israeli government will work with the new administration of President Trump and the international community to impose sovereignty and American recognition.”

Regarding international criticism, he said that even if there were initially those who publicly opposed this move, “including from Arab countries, we have already proven in the Abraham Accords (normalization) that when Israel insists on its position and its right, it ultimately receives support and appreciation from the United States and neighboring Arab countries.”

"That is why we must move forward with all our might in this move. I have no doubt that President Trump, who has shown courage and determination in his decisions in his first term, will support the State of Israel in this move," he added.

The move to impose sovereignty means treating the entire West Bank as part of the occupying state. The extremist minister aims, through such a move, to dispel the idea of establishing a Palestinian state. He has repeatedly threatened to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.

In the same vein, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar told reporters in Jerusalem on Monday that "the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state is not realistic today."

Smotrich on Lebanon talks: All agreements are worthless

Smotrich addressed reports about possible ceasefire agreements, and said, according to Maariv, that he clearly declares that all the papers and agreements that will be signed are worthless.

"No one will do the work for us, not the Lebanese army, not UNIFIL, nor any other foreign force. We will no longer depend on anyone, but on ourselves, on the Israeli army and security forces," he added.

However, the leader of the Religious Zionism party declared that as long as the freedom of military action of the occupation army is preserved, he will support and promote these moves. He explained: "If there are any restrictions, we will not be partners in this policy and will not allow it to pass. That is why we also oppose stopping the war in Gaza."