Israel Threatens West Bank Annexation Over UN Palestine Move

Israel’s far-right Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, warned, yesterday that Israel would annex the occupied West Bank if the international community formally recognises a Palestinian state at next month’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

“You have no chance, there will be no Palestinian state,” Smotrich declared at a news conference, addressing countries planning to support Palestinian statehood at the UN.

“You will not decide from overseas what the future of the Jewish people looks like,” said Smotrich, who is known for advocating the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank—settlements deemed illegal under international law.

Speaking near the Israeli settlement of Ma’ale Adumim, east of Jerusalem, he added: “If you recognise a Palestinian state in September, our response will be to assert full Israeli sovereignty over all areas of Judea and Samaria.

“Judea and Samaria” is the term used by Israel to refer to the West Bank, which it has occupied since 1967.”

Several countries, including France, Canada, and Australia, have signaled their intention to recognise a Palestinian state at the UNGA in response to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

They argued such recognition could help advance the long-sought two-state solution, envisioning a peaceful coexistence between Israel and a future Palestinian state.

However, both the current Israeli government and Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, have consistently rejected that vision.