Israel’s Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has gained new authority over the occupied West Bank, a move that has sparked controversy and concern among analysts and human rights activists. Smotrich, a hard-line government minister who favors annexation of the territory, now has increased formal authority over key responsibilities in the West Bank, including building and demolition permits.
This administrative shift, finalized by the Israeli military on May 29, places a civilian head in an area previously overseen only by the military. The move has been a longtime goal of Smotrich, a settler leader who wants to strengthen Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Critics argue that these changes, along with other recent shifts in governance, bring Israel closer to annexing the territory in all but name.
The government’s actions have raised concerns about the impact on Palestinian communities in the West Bank, as well as the potential for increased settlement construction and violence by settlers. Critics accuse the government of failing to enforce laws against illegal settlement activity and violence, and of imposing economic pressure on Palestinians.
The shift to civilian administration in the West Bank has been seen as a significant change in the way the territory is governed. Analysts note that Defense Minister Yoav Gallant will still have input and could block certain measures, but the move ties decision-making more closely to Israeli domestic politics.
The appointment of Hillel Roth, a settler and member of the religious nationalist community, to the new administrative post is seen as a sign that Smotrich’s agenda will be facilitated. Smotrich has also taken steps to weaken the Palestinian Authority, exacerbating its fiscal crisis by withholding revenue and diverting funds to Israeli victims of terrorism.
The situation in the West Bank remains complex, with more than 500,000 Israeli settlers living among 2.7 million Palestinians. The international community largely considers the settlements illegal, but some Israelis justify them on religious or historical grounds. The latest developments in the West Bank highlight the ongoing tensions and challenges in the region.
