Palestinian Authority Slams Israeli Minister's Call for 'War' in West Bank

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a sharp condemnation on Monday, warning against statements made by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Smotrich had reportedly called for initiating a "war" in the West Bank, mirroring actions in Gaza, and dismantling the Palestinian Authority, which he labeled a "terror authority."

In response to the Palestinian statement, Smotrich doubled down on his criticism of the Palestinian Authority. Speaking on the "120 and One" podcast, he reiterated his call to wage war in Judea and Samaria, dismantle the PA, and stated that the Palestinian Authority supports and encourages terror. He also expressed determination to continue and strengthen the "settlement revolution" and prevent the establishment of a Palestinian terror state.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry asserted that Smotrich's remarks constituted an explicit call to escalate attacks and commit further crimes against Palestinians. They claimed these statements revealed Israel's true intentions of annexation and expulsion, aiming to undermine the possibility of an independent Palestinian state, which they argued violates international law and agreements.

The ministry further stated that Smotrich's declarations reflect the Israeli government's policy of "murder, expulsion, settlement, and land confiscation," and an attempt to forcibly impose a new reality on occupied Palestinian territory. They emphasized that true security, stability, and peace can only be achieved by ending the Israeli occupation, not through war, killing, expulsion, or settlements.

Concluding their statement, the Palestinian ministry urged the international community, particularly the UN Security Council and the U.S. administration, to fulfill their political and legal responsibilities. They called for immediate and tangible measures to compel Israel to cease its aggression, halt settlement expansion, annexation, and expulsion, and to protect the Palestinian people and their national institutions.