Amidst the noise surrounding the judicial revamp, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration has subtly advanced steps that could solidify Israel’s hold over the West Bank indefinitely.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a notable figure in the settler movement, has in his recent agreement with Netanyahu acquired greater influence over the West Bank. Smotrich has quickly sanctioned new settler homes, legitimized erstwhile unauthorized outposts, and added barriers to Palestinian construction and movement.
With Smotrich being the inaugural government minister to manage civilian aspects of the West Bank, many believe this indicates Israel’s military occupation, spanning 56 years, is set to continue indefinitely.
Ilan Paz, who previously led Israel’s Civil Administration, commented, “A four-year tenure for Smotrich in this position could reach an irreversible state.”
In his bid to reclaim leadership amidst a corruption trial, Netanyahu made significant concessions to settler-supporting legislators, including Smotrich, in his coalition the prior year. The coalition’s agreement led to the formation of an agency for Israeli settlers, with Smotrich at its helm, situated within the Defense Ministry, supervising construction in the West Bank sections under Israeli jurisdiction.
Transferring responsibilities from a military body obligated to ensure the welfare of the occupied to those prioritizing Israeli concerns is a “radical shift,” remarked human rights attorney Michael Sfard.
Smotrich’s ambitions include amplifying the settler population, enhancing infrastructural development, and blurring distinctions between life in the West Bank and Israel. He also aims to dissolve any aspirations the Palestinians might harbour for independence.
With his position, Smotrich has the authority to allocate funds for infrastructure projects in the West Bank. The 2024 Israeli budget sets aside a record $960 million for enhancing connectivity between Israel and the West Bank, even though settlers form a mere 5% of Israel’s populace.
Many Israelis, including Smotrich, view the West Bank as the Jewish community’s historical heartland. Smotrich envisions a unified state extending from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean, with Palestinians given limited rights or encouraged to depart.
For Smotrich’s aide, Eitan Fuld, the finance minister’s initiatives are a welcome change, “He’s rectifying the state’s long-standing neglect of us based on our residence.”
However, Smotrich’s administrative body handling territorial matters has drawn criticism for its separation along ethnic boundaries, likened to “apartheid” by some.
The global community predominantly views the settlements in the West Bank, which houses around half a million settlers, as unlawful.
Reports indicate that Smotrich’s strategies have escalated Palestinian hardships, spurred aggressive settlers, and caused disruptions within Israel’s military factions. Recent expansions have further distanced the Netanyahu administration from the White House.
The UN has reported a 30% spike in settler aggressions this year relative to 2022. The government has granted approval for 13,000 settlement residences and sanctioned 20 unauthorized outposts, according to Peace Now, an anti-settlement organization.
Under Smotrich’s watch, demolitions of unauthorized Palestinian structures continue, with over 95% of their permit applications rejected by COGAT.
For Israeli settlers, this administration stands out. Shulamit Ben Yashar, a resident of an outpost near Hebron, said, “It’s the best government for us.”
Conversely, Palestinians feel the squeeze, as Sameer Hammdeh from Masafer Yatta lamented, “We’re suffocating.”
While Smotrich and his allies expedite settlement development, Nitzan Alon, a retired general, remarked, “Smotrich’s influence is overriding legal protocols.”
COGAT, caught unprepared by a controversial demolition incident, ensured future actions would be evaluated judiciously.
For former general Paz, Smotrich’s supporters are “overstepping all boundaries,” showing little restraint or concern.
In the ever-evolving landscape of the Middle East, Israel’s recent moves in the West Bank highlight a complex interplay between politics, religion, and territorial claims. The actions of Finance Minister Smotrich and the reactions they provoke will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of Israeli-Palestinian relations for the years to come. As the world watches closely, the hope for lasting peace remains, albeit tinged with uncertainty.
