Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for the total abolition of the administrative divisions within the West Bank, asserting that “the Land of Israel is ours in its entirety.”
Speaking at a Jerusalem Day event at the Mercaz Harav yeshiva—a flagship institution of the Religious Zionist movement—Smotrich, who also serves as a minister in the Defense Ministry with responsibility for West Bank settlements, urged the government to erase the boundaries between Areas A, B, and C.
Smotrich revealed that he has submitted a detailed plan to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to annul these distinctions, utilizing “methodical and precise maps.” He called upon the Prime Minister to “convene the cabinet and ratify” the proposal.
The Framework of Control
The divisions Smotrich seeks to erase were established under the 1995 Oslo II Accords between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization. Under this agreement, the West Bank is partitioned into three zones:
- Area A: Under full Palestinian control.
- Area B: Under Israeli security control and Palestinian civilian control.
- Area C: Under full Israeli control.
Smotrich argued that removing these lines is necessary to “prevent the next massacre” in central Israel, stating further that such a move would “practically [kill] the idea of a Palestinian state and establishment of a terrorist capital in our heartland.”
The Kan public broadcaster reported that Smotrich also highlighted a “revolution in honor of the Land of Israel,” citing the government’s recognition of dozens of previously illegal settler outposts and the construction of dozens of new settlements and 60,000 housing units.
Escalating Tensions and Violence
These political calls come amid a period of heightened volatility. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who also spoke at the Jerusalem Day gathering, stated that he seeks to settle Lebanon and noted the existence of a plan to “encourage emigration” of Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza, according to Kan.
On the ground, violence has remained a near-daily occurrence. The IDF recently reported that troops shot and killed a masked Palestinian, identified by the Palestinian Authority as 15-year-old Fahd Zidan Owais, who the IDF stated was hurling stones at motorists on Route 60 near the village of Lubban ash-Sharqiya. The Palestinian Authority’s news agency, Wafa, reported that settlers had raided the same village and broken down several doors.
the IDF announced the arrest of a man in his 30s from Lubban e-Sharkiya suspected of driving a stolen vehicle that struck and killed 20-year-old Sgt. Netanel Ayala in a hit-and-run on May 3.
Further unrest was reported in the village of Jibiya, where Wafa reported that settlers set fire to two vehicles and a mosque, leaving behind nationalist graffiti that read “for the liberation of Jerusalem.”
Broader Implications
The push for annexation and the erasure of the Oslo Accords’ boundaries reflect a significant shift in policy goals for the far-right elements of the government. However, these ambitions have already faced internal hurdles; earlier this week, the government backed away from legislation to repeal the Oslo Accords. An Israeli official told The Times of Israel that Prime Minister Netanyahu instructed ministers not to support the legislation due to concerns regarding the need for coordination with Washington.
The significance of this shift is underscored by a rise in nationalistic crime. Military records show 867 incidents of settler violence and nationalistic crime in 2025, an increase from 682 incidents in 2024. Critics have accused the government of ignoring these attacks, while the IDF has faced criticism for failing to prosecute those responsible or for standing by during attacks.
Potential Next Steps
The trajectory of West Bank administration may depend on Prime Minister Netanyahu’s response to Smotrich’s “methodical” plan. If the cabinet chooses to ratify the proposal, it could lead to a formal dismantling of the Oslo II framework, potentially increasing diplomatic friction with the United States.
the continued expansion of settlements and the recognition of illegal outposts may lead to further territorial consolidation, which could increase the likelihood of continued clashes between settlers and Palestinian residents.
