Palestinian Media Warns Smotrich's Policies Threaten Two-State Solution

The widely read Palestinian newspaper Al-Quds in the West Bank has expressed serious concern over Israeli Minister Bezalel Smotrich's policies, warning they could lead to the final demise of the two-state solution. The paper republished an opinion piece by Nahum Barnea originally from Haaretz, which criticizes Smotrich's aggressive expansion of settlements and infrastructure in the West Bank since taking responsibility for civilian affairs in the Defense Ministry.

The article details how Smotrich has accelerated settlement construction, approved new settlements, established outposts, built roads, and invested billions in strengthening settlements and military infrastructure. These moves are seen as attempts to create irreversible "facts on the ground" that would prevent a contiguous Palestinian territory and make a future Palestinian state impossible. The piece notes that 160 outposts and farms have been established and 103 new settlements approved during his tenure.

It further highlights plans to reconnect evacuated settlements in northern Samaria and covertly expand settlements in Area A, which could undermine the Oslo Accords and potentially trigger widespread conflict. The article describes Smotrich's vision as messianic, aiming to expel Palestinians and annex the entire West Bank to Israel.

Concluding, the article states that while Smotrich is considered a success story in advancing the settlement agenda and West Bank annexation, his success spells disaster for Palestinians, marking "the end of the third temple" for them. The coverage reflects deep Palestinian fears that Smotrich's policies will permanently block any viable two-state solution.

Summary: Palestinian newspaper Al-Quds warns that Israeli Minister Bezalel Smotrich's settlement expansion policies in the West Bank threaten to end the two-state solution by creating irreversible facts on the ground, undermining Palestinian territorial continuity and potentially leading to widespread conflict.

Points: - Palestinian media warns Smotrich's settlement policies threaten the two-state solution. - Smotrich accelerated settlement expansion, approving 103 new settlements and 160 outposts. - Billions invested in infrastructure aim to prevent Palestinian territorial continuity. - Plans include reestablishing evacuated settlements and covert expansions in Area A. - The policies risk nullifying Oslo Accords and triggering broader conflict. - Smotrich's success is seen as a disaster for Palestinians, ending hopes for a Palestinian state.

Topic: politics

Entities: {"people":["Bezalel Smotrich","Nahum Barnea"],"organizations":["Al-Quds","Haaretz","Israeli Defense Ministry"],"places":["West Bank","Samaria","Area A"]}