Smotrich: It's Time for Annexation and We Will Annihilate the Palestinian Authority If It Raises Its Head

SadaNews: Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich made a series of controversial statements in which he firmly rejected the idea of establishing a Palestinian state, stating that imposing Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank is a "realistic step" to confront what he described as a "political attack on Israel".

Smotrich said: "We will not allow our cities to turn into something resembling the Gaza Envelope areas." He added: "The U.S. administration supports us in our decision to eliminate the idea of establishing a Palestinian state," referring to implied international support for his government's policies.

He continued: "We will annihilate the Palestinian Authority if it dares to raise its head and harm us."

These statements come amid accelerating Israeli moves to annex parts of the West Bank and expand settlements, against a backdrop of widespread Arab rejection and warnings of serious repercussions for peace prospects in the region.