Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich recently announced that the next government should actively encourage the emigration of Palestinians from the West Bank and implement Israeli sovereignty over the territory. In a speech delivered during the Religious Zionism Party's conference, Smotrich expressed that there is no alternative to this approach in the long term. He framed this policy within a broader ideological context, stating it is essential to complete a 'revolution' and eliminate what he termed the 'Arab terror state' concept. Additionally, he reaffirmed his intentions to dismantle the Oslo Accords, signaling a hardline shift in policy towards Palestinians.

Smotrich's statements come against a backdrop of significant tensions and violence in the region; since October 7, numerous Palestinian communities have been forcibly displaced from their homes due to harassment from settlers. Reports indicate that these acts often involve settlers, some of whom are in military uniforms, threatening residents of small pastoral communities. Despite the Israeli army and police being aware of these incidents, they have allowed such evictions to continue, raising concerns about the state's complicity in these actions.

The implications of Smotrich's proposals are profound, potentially leading to increased tensions between Israeli settlers and Palestinians, as well as further undermining any remaining prospects for negotiations between the two sides. His comments and the government's policies may attract international condemnation, primarily given the historical context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the ongoing disputes over territory and sovereignty. This hardline rhetoric could exacerbate divisions within Israeli society as well, highlighting the growing influence of right-wing factions in the wake of recent elections.