Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today granted sweeping governing authorities in the West Bank to
his Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a measure that is a first step toward formal, de jure annexation of West
Bank occupied territories.
Americans for Peace Now (APN)
strongly condemns this step and calls on the Biden administration to demand that Israel reverse this
step.
The agreement between Netanyahu and Smotrich constitutes a structural change in the way Israel rules the
territory it captured in 1967. Instead of the occupied territory being subject to the military commander, as
stipulated in international law, civilian aspects of running the occupation will now be directed by a civilian
member of the occupying power who is explicitly committed to enhancing Israel’s sovereignty in the occupied West
Bank. In addition, Smotrich is committed to enhancing the direct application of Israeli laws over Israeli citizens
residing in the West Bank, Jewish settlers, hence solidifying the apartheid-like reality in the West
Bank.