Experts tell MEE new arrangement makes Bezalel Smotrich ‘governor’ of West Bank and deepens the ‘colonization of Palestine.’
by Oscar Rickett, Middle East Eye
Israel transferred large sections of the occupied West Bank’s administration from the military to a far-right cabinet minister on Thursday, in a move experts say amounts to “de jure annexation”.
The transfer was agreed between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
Under the deal, Smotrich – who also serves as a minister in the defence department – will have broad authority over civilian issues in the occupied West Bank.
These include powers over unlicensed settler outposts, settlement planning and construction, and authority to appoint officials in the Civil Administration – Israel’s governing body in the West Bank.
It would mean a move from Israeli military governance, which has been the norm since Israel occupied the West Bank in 1967, to civilian political administration. Israel has never formally annexed the West Bank, and even if it did, its status would nonetheless remain defined by international law as a “temporary military occupation”.
Recent Posts
‘Kill These Cuts Before They Kill Us’: Federally Funded Researchers Warn DOGE Cuts Will Be Fatal
Take Action Now On April 8, national ‘Kill the Cuts’ rallies mobilized unions across the country to protest the Trump administration’s DOGE-fueled…
How Serious Are Trump’s Threats To Bomb Iran?
Take Action Now Mehdi speaks to Iran expert Trita Parsi on US and Israeli plans for possible conflict with Tehran if there’s no progress on…
2028 Will Be Our Last, Best Hope To Propel A Real Leftist To The Top Of The Ticket
Take Action Now As the mainstream Democrats sink in popularity and their base demands change, It’s critical that the left unites, well ahead of…
Elon Musk Stands To Get Even Richer As Trump Backs $1 Trillion Budget For Pentagon
Take Action Now “Do we need a trillion?” is kind of a softball question, because the answer is absolutely no. We’re already spending too much.By…