Tag

Smotrich

All articles tagged with #smotrich

middle-east23 days ago•1 min saved

Smotrich demands Gaza-style military campaign in West Bank amid new closures

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for a full-scale military operation in the occupied West Bank, explicitly urging the army to replicate its actions in Gaza to dismantle the Palestinian Authority. This statement coincides with a week-long comprehensive military closure of the West Bank for the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, which restricts Palestinian movement until October 3. The remarks come as settler violence reaches a 20-year high, with over 1,330 attacks recorded in the first half of 2026.

via Al Jazeera|

#israel #middle-east #palestinian-authority

world1 month ago•202 min saved

Israel’s crowded far-right hardens tone as elections loom

With about two months to go before election day, Israel’s far-right field is pushing increasingly extreme positions—from expanding the death penalty for Palestinians to aggressive settlement expansion—while new fringe parties intensify competition for right-wing votes and threaten Netanyahu’s need for a united bloc. A provocative AI-generated video from Itamar Ben-Gvir underscored the bellicose tone as candidates vie to stand out in a crowded field.

via CNN|

#ben-gvir #elections #far-right

world2 months ago•5 min saved

Election Pressure Spurs West Bank Settlement Surge Ahead of Israeli Vote

As Israel gears up for October elections, hard-right leaders push to cement control in the West Bank through new settlements, a formal Settlements Administration, and the E1 project, while the UN reports record settler violence; analysts say Netanyahu and Smotrich are courting the settler base to secure support despite electoral uncertainty.

via Al Jazeera|

#elections #netanyahu #settlements

world3 months ago•2 min saved

Israeli ministers join Gaza border march pushing to rebuild settlements

Israeli cabinet members and lawmakers joined a border march toward Gaza to demand the reconstruction of settlements evacuated in 2005 (Elei Sinai, Dugit, Nisanit), a move that defied a military zone order. Organizers claimed thousands attended, though some reports estimated only hundreds. Attendees included senior ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, highlighting a shift of settlement rhetoric into mainstream Israeli politics despite Netanyahu’s stance that Gaza will not be resettled.

via Al Jazeera|

#ben-gvir #gaza #march

world4 months ago•8 min saved

Israel expands control over Hebron’s Ibrahimi Mosque, signaling broader takeover of planning in the city

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced that Israel has transferred planning and construction powers for the Ibrahimi Mosque and adjacent Jewish settler areas in Hebron’s H2 to Israeli authorities, effectively altering parts of the 1997 Hebron Agreement. The move, framed by Israel as advancing sovereignty, is seen by observers as a dangerous erosion of Oslo-era arrangements and Palestinian planning autonomy, potentially increasing unilateral Israeli control amid ongoing settlement expansion. Palestinians and several international actors condemn it as infringing on governance and international law.

via Al Jazeera|

#hebron #hebron-agreement #ibrahimi-mosque

world5 months ago•3 min saved

Smotrich claims ICC sought arrest warrant, pledges retaliation against PA

Israeli far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich says the ICC prosecutor sought a confidential arrest warrant against him and threatens retaliation against the Palestinian Authority, citing his order to evacuate the Bedouin village Khan al-Ahmar. The ICC process is confidential and Israel is not a member of the court, though the Palestinian territories are, allowing potential scrutiny of actions in Gaza and the West Bank amid broader tensions and sanctions on Israeli officials.

via The Guardian|

#icc #israel-palestine #khan-al-ahmar

israel-politics5 months ago•12 min saved

Smotrich vows West Bank evacuation after ICC warrant

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the ICC issued an arrest warrant against him, calling it a declaration of war, and announced he would sign an order to evacuate the Khan al-Ahmar Bedouin village in the West Bank. He accused the ICC of acting as the Palestinian Authority’s voice amid broader investigations into Israeli leaders and tears over settlement politics.

via The Jerusalem Post|

#evacuation #icc #israel-politics

world6 months ago•12 min saved

Israel moves border to Litani River in southern Lebanon

Israel says it will occupy southern Lebanon up to the Litani River to create a defensive buffer, with troops controlling bridges and a security zone and potentially seizing about a tenth of the country; Hezbollah vows to resist, and Lebanese residents have been displaced by strikes that have killed over 1,000. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich urged annexation up to the Litani. Lebanon has not commented publicly. The move escalates an already volatile conflict amid broader US-Israeli tensions with Iran and international concern over civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.

via The Jerusalem Post|

#hezbollah #israel #lebanon

world7 months ago•3 min saved

Smotrich pushes annexation of southern Lebanon as Israel's assault widens

Bezalel Smotrich urged annexing southern Lebanon and declaring the Litani River as Israel's new border, as Israel escalates strikes and a ground push into Lebanese territory, triggering mass displacement and drawing war-crimes concerns from the UN and aid groups.

via Al Jazeera|

#displacement #israel-lebanon-conflict #litani-river

world1 year ago•2 min saved

Israeli Minister Foresees Gaza as a 'Real Estate Bonanza' Amid Conflict

Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich has proposed turning Gaza into a real estate opportunity and discussed dividing the territory with the US, despite international condemnation. His comments follow Israel's military campaign in Gaza, which has caused extensive destruction and a high death toll, with ongoing debates about long-term plans for the region, including controversial ideas of US trusteeship and land annexation.

via BBC|

#gaza #israel #palestinians

world1 year ago•4 min saved

UAE Warns Against Israeli West Bank Annexation, Citing 'Red Line' Concerns

Israeli far-right minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for the annexation of approximately 82% of the West Bank in response to international moves to recognize a Palestinian state, escalating tensions and risking further diplomatic isolation for Israel.

via The New York Times|

#annexation #israel #palestinian-state

world1 year ago•3 min saved

Smotrich Loses Confidence in Netanyahu's Gaza War Stance

Finance Minister Smotrich has publicly expressed a loss of confidence in Prime Minister Netanyahu's approach to the Gaza war, criticizing recent government decisions and advocating for a decisive military victory over Hamas, including annexation plans and a complete surrender of Hamas in Gaza, amid ongoing disagreements within the Israeli cabinet about the best strategy.

via Ynetnews|

#gaza #israel #military-strategy

world1 year ago•4 min saved

Israeli Leaders Push for Gaza Resettlement and Annexation Plans

Israeli far-right minister Bezalel Smotrich expressed support for rebuilding Jewish settlements in Gaza, describing Gaza as an inseparable part of Israel, amid ongoing war and humanitarian crises. The Netherlands banned him from entering the country due to his stance, which includes calls for the voluntary migration of Palestinians, raising concerns of ethnic cleansing. Smotrich's remarks come as Gaza faces severe destruction, a humanitarian crisis, and stalled ceasefire negotiations.

via The New York Times|

#gaza #israel #settlements

world1 year ago•1 min saved

Slovenia Bans Israeli Ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir Over Gaza Comments

Slovenia will become the first EU country to ban Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering, citing their 'genocidal statements' against Palestinians and inciting violence. The move follows recent sanctions by countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia, against the ministers over their comments on Gaza and Palestinians.

via The Jerusalem Post|

#ban #ben-gvir #palestinians

world1 year ago•5 min saved

Israel resumes Gaza aid amid tensions over Hamas interference

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has halted humanitarian aid to northern Gaza following threats from Finance Minister Smotrich to leave the coalition if aid continues to reach Hamas, amid ongoing conflict and complex political tensions.

via Haaretz|

#gaza-aid #hamas #humanitarian-crisis