The Palestinian Foreign Ministry has expressed concern over recent statements made by Israeli Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich, who called for a war on the West Bank and the dismantling of the Palestinian National Authority. In a statement, the ministry described Smotrich's comments as a clear call to escalate aggression and expand Israeli occupation crimes, including annexation and displacement.
The ministry believes that Smotrich's statements reveal the true intentions of Israeli plans to undermine the possibility of an independent Palestinian state and impose a new reality on the occupied Palestinian land by force. This move is in violation of international law, UN resolutions, and signed agreements.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry emphasized that Smotrich's call for a comprehensive war on the West Bank and the destruction of Palestinian cities and camps is part of the Israeli government's policies of killing, displacement, settlement, and land confiscation. The ministry also stressed that these actions aim to impose annexation by force.
The Palestinian National Authority and institutions represent a crucial part of the Palestinian national project and the achievements of the Palestinian people on their way to establishing an independent state. The ministry holds the Israeli government fully responsible for the consequences of any attempt to undermine or compromise these institutions.
The ministry warned that continued international silence in the face of Smotrich's inflammatory statements and Israeli policies encourages the Israeli government to pursue its plans, pushing the region towards further tension, violence, and instability.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry called on the international community, particularly the UN Security Council and the US administration, to assume their political and legal responsibilities and take immediate and concrete actions to compel Israel to stop its aggression against the Palestinian people, halt settlement activities, and protect Palestinian national institutions.
The ministry stressed that achieving security, stability, and peace requires ending the Israeli occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative.
Key points
- The Palestinian Foreign Ministry warns that Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich's statements on the West Bank are a call to escalate aggression and expand Israeli occupation crimes.
- The ministry believes that Smotrich's statements reveal Israeli plans to undermine the possibility of an independent Palestinian state and impose a new reality on the occupied Palestinian land by force.
- The ministry calls on the international community to take immediate and concrete actions to compel Israel to stop its aggression against the Palestinian people and halt settlement activities.
