'Now is the time' – Finance Minister Smotrich calls for Israeli sovereignty of Judea & Samaria following Trump victory

During a Religious Zionism party meeting on Monday, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the election victory of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump represents the perfect opportunity for Israel to apply sovereignty to Judea and Samaria. 

Smotrich began by congratulating Trump on his victory while criticizing the administration of President Joe Biden for not being willing to meet with him. 

"I congratulate President-elect Donald Trump on his stunning and landslide victory in the United States elections against the establishment media, against elites and celebrities, and against all polls. I wish him great success in his position," Smotrich said in his opening remarks.

“After years in which unfortunately the current administration chose to interfere in Israeli democracy and personally not cooperate with me as Minister of Finance of the State of Israel, I congratulate the elected administration and look forward to joint work and strong cooperation in order to strengthen economic and trade relations between the countries.” 

Smotrich continued by saying that Trump’s victory provides “an important opportunity” for Israel, to apply sovereignty to Judea and Samaria, also known as the West Bank. 

"Trump's victory brings with it an important opportunity for the State of Israel. We were on the brink of applying sovereignty to the settlements in Judea and Samaria, and now the time has come to do it,” Smotrich stated. 

The finance minister noted that “there is broad consensus in both the coalition and the opposition,” which opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state “that would threaten the existence of the State of Israel.” 

Smotrich said the next calendar year “will be the year of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria.” 

“I have instructed the Settlement Division at the Ministry of Defense and the Civil Administration to begin comprehensive and professional groundwork to prepare the necessary infrastructure for the application of sovereignty,” he told his party. "In the future, I intend to lead a government resolution stating that the Israeli government will work with the new administration of President Trump and the international community to apply sovereignty with American recognition."

Shortly after the party meeting, Smotrich also posted to 𝕏, writing, “2025 – the year of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria.” 

2025 - שנת הריבונות ביהודה ושומרון

— בצלאל סמוטריץ' (@bezalelsm) November 11, 2024

His comments drew criticism from international politicians, as exemplified by European Union Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Representative Josep Borrell, who issued his own statement on 𝕏, condemning Smotrich’s call for sovereignty. 

“I unequivocally condemn Minister Smotrich’s call to “apply sovereignty” in the West Bank, a clear step towards illegal annexation,” Borrell wrote, using the internationally accepted name for Judea and Samaria. 

The term West Bank comes from the period following the 1948 War of Independence, when Jordan captured the territory, and applied sovereignty over it, calling it the West Bank of Jordan. 

I unequivocally condemn Minister Smotrich’s call to “apply sovereignty” in the West Bank, a clear step towards illegal annexation.

Such rhetoric undermines international law, violates Palestinians’ rights and threatens any prospects for a 2-state solution.

— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) November 11, 2024

Smotrich also answered a question about the current war effort in Gaza and Lebanon from a reporter asking if now is the time for a ceasefire and hostage release agreement. 

“Isn’t this the time to make a deal and end the war?” the reporter asked. 

“Making a deal with Hamas that ends the war is undermining the primary goal of the war,” Smotrich responded. 

“If, at the end, at the end of the war, you have someone to sign with, then we’ll consider it,” he continued. “This war must end with Hamas being gone, both militarily and politically.” 

Smotrich said he hopes to make progress with both defeating Hamas and finding a replacement for it as a governing authority in the Strip. 

“I really hope that we are now entering a new phase, both in the destruction of Hamas's governmental and civilian capabilities and in creating an alternative to Hamas rule,” he said while ruling out working with the Palestinian Authority and its dominant political party, Fatah.