Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the far-right Religious Zionist Party (RZP), demanded annexation of the Palestinian West Bank, DPA reported.
Smotrich has for years called for Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank, land the Palestinians want for their future state. At a meeting of his far-right faction in parliament today, Smotrich said he had instructed Israeli authorities that control West Bank settlements to "begin professional and comprehensive staff work to prepare the necessary infrastructure" for the expansion of sovereignty, reads a statement from his office, reported the "Jerusalem Post".
Smotrich is reviving plans shelved in 2020 to annex Israeli settlements that make up about 30 percent of the West Bank occupied since 1967, which Palestinians claim are part of their desired future state with East Jerusalem as its capital. indicates DPA.
For decades, Israel's Western allies have also advocated a two-state solution as a lasting way to bring peace to the region.
The annexation plans did not materialize during the first term of US President-elect Donald Trump because of the historic Abraham Accords - treaties to normalize Israel's relations with Arab countries.
"The time has come to exercise sovereignty over the West Bank,”, Smotrich said, referring to Trump's election victory last week.
During his first term, Trump made many concessions to Israel, including recognizing the annexation of the Golan Heights.