clear

Creating new perspectives since 2009

Israel’s Smotrich calls for imposing ‘sovereignty’ over occupied West Bank as Netanyahu visits US

February 2, 2025 at 3:49 pm

The Israeli army continues its attacks on the West Bank city of Tulkarm and the refugee camp on its 8th day, on January 28, 2025 in Tulkarm, West Bank. [Issam Rimawi – Anadolu Agency]

Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday to push for imposing Israel’s “sovereignty” over the occupied West Bank during his visit to Washington, Anadolu Agency reports.

“A great deal is at stake – the complete victory in Gaza, the destruction of Hamas and the return of all our hostages, strengthening our security on all borders – in Syria, Lebanon, and of course against the head of the octopus, the Iranian regime and the nuclear threat. This danger must be removed,” Smotrich, the leader of the Religious Zionism Party, said on his X account.

“We must strengthen our grip and sovereignty over the homeland in Judea and Samaria (West Bank),” he said.

Smotrich claimed that Israel is “making peace, forging alliances and strengthening its position.”

Opposition leader Benny Gantz said Netanyahu’s visit to the US an opportunity to expand “the circle of normalization” in the Middle East region.

READ: Israeli prime minister departs for US to meet with Trump

“The meeting with President Trump is of paramount importance for advancing the return of all our hostages, coordinating the response to the Iranian challenge, expanding the circle of normalization, and removing Hamas rule,” he said in a statement.

Netanyahu departed for Washington early Sunday to meet with US President Donald Trump.

In pre-departure statements at Ben Gurion Airport, Netanyahu called his meeting with Trump “a testimony to the strength of the Israeli-American alliance.”

Netanyahu’s office said on Saturday that the premier will begin talks on a second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, which took effect on Jan. 19, on Monday.

The three-phase ceasefire agreement includes a prisoner exchange and sustained calm, aiming for a permanent truce and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

According to Israeli media, the military escalation in the West Bank is partly aimed at pacifying Smotrich, who opposed the ceasefire in Gaza and demanded harsher measures against Palestinians.

More than 900 Palestinians have been killed and over 6,700 injured by Israeli forces in the West Bank since the outbreak of the Gaza war on Oct. 7, 2023, according to the Health Ministry.

In July, the International Court of Justice declared Israel’s long-standing occupation of Palestinian territories illegal, calling for the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

READ: Illegal Israeli settlers burn mosque in occupied West Bank