Smotrich and West Bank Annexation

The statement by Bezalel Smotrich, days ago, giving orders to civil administration employees to take annexation measures, reflects a clear direction towards annexing the West Bank actually or legally, which is an extremely dangerous development in terms of international law, political impact and field reality.

Legal Analysis

1. From a Legal Perspective

• The West Bank is occupied territory according to international law (Geneva Conventions, and Security Council resolutions such as 242 and 338)

• Any imposition of Israeli sovereignty over it is considered a flagrant violation of international law, especially the principle that territory cannot be acquired by force

• The "Civil Administration" is part of the Israeli army (Central Command), and therefore using its employees to impose sovereignty contradicts the principle of temporary occupation that does not authorize the occupying state to change the legal character of the land

2. Politically and Diplomatically

• Such a declaration threatens to definitively bury the two-state solution

• Creates acute tension with the European Union and parts of the American administration, especially if actually implemented

• Usually used for internal political purposes, i.e., to satisfy the extreme right audience inside Israel

3. Field and Practical Reality and the Real Goal of This Decision

"Imposing sovereignty" practically means:

• Expanding settlement • Reducing Palestinian Authority powers • Legalizing random settlement outposts • Imposing Israeli laws on residents and areas instead of military rule laws, and here lies the danger

Required Palestinian and International Response

4. Palestinian and International Reaction - How Should It Be?

• From a Palestinian perspective, such a statement confirms fears of displacement and creeping annexation

• Internationally, it may be met with:

• Condemnations without concrete measures (as in previous times)
• Calls to stop security coordination from the Palestinian side
• Complicating Israeli relations with Arab countries that have recently normalized

Conclusion

Smotrich's statements are not just words, but come within a systematic Israeli strategy for creeping annexation, and have become clearer and more explicit in recent years. They should be dealt with as a real indicator of the erosion of the international legal framework governing the situation in Palestinian territories, which requires doubled Palestinian and international effort in legal documentation, pressure, and action in international forums.