Israeli Far-Right Ministers Call for West Bank Annexation After Western Recognition of Palestinian State

JERUSALEM, Sept 21 (VoM): Two senior far-right ministers in Israel’s government have urged the annexation of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, following Britain, Canada, and Australia’s landmark recognition of a Palestinian state.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said on Sunday that the recognition “requires immediate countermeasures,” calling for the “swift application of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria”  Israel’s term for the West Bank  and the “complete dismantling of the Palestinian Authority.” He added that he intends to formally submit an annexation proposal at the next cabinet meeting.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a longtime advocate of annexation, echoed the call. Writing on X, he said, “The days when Britain and other countries would determine our future are over. The only response to this anti-Israeli move is sovereignty over the historic homeland of the Jewish people in Judea and Samaria and permanently removing the folly of a Palestinian state from the agenda.”

Smotrich directly appealed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying, “Mr. Prime Minister, the time is now, and it is in your hands.”

The statements come amid heightened tensions after three major Western nations formally recognized Palestinian statehood, a move that Israel’s leadership has strongly condemned. Netanyahu has vowed to oppose the recognition drive at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in New York.