Smotrich's statements: Destroying Gaza and eroding the West Bank

Mohamed Zidan: Smotrich's statements are part of the ideology of religious Zionism and reflect the prevailing approach among most components of the current government.

Dr. Ibrahim Abu Jaber: We may witness, in the coming period, projects that threaten the Palestinian cause and seek to liquidate it, amid international silence.

Ismat Mansour: The talk so far is about deals and a new Middle East, which whets the appetite of the Israeli right, like Smotrich and Ben-Gvir.

Dr. Hassan Marhej: Smotrich's statements about "liberating" the Middle East from its dependence on the Palestinian cause reflect an extremist approach aimed at marginalizing it.

Adel Shedid: The Israeli far right agrees that the opportunity allows for the liquidation of the Palestinian cause and the Palestinian people, based on the principle of force.

Wadih Awawdeh: Smotrich's statements come in the context of addressing his audience, fearing their anger if a ceasefire and a move toward a political settlement were proposed.

Exclusive to "I"

The recent statements by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, in which he rejected any potential ceasefire agreement in Gaza, a prisoner exchange deal, and any project leading to a settlement of the Palestinian issue, are part of the ideology of religious Zionism and reflect the prevailing trend among most components of the current Israeli government. In return, he seeks to impose his vision and project based on genocide, erasure, and the complete annexation of the West Bank, the liquidation of the refugee issue, and the thwarting of any hope of establishing an independent Palestinian state.

In separate interviews with "Y," writers and analysts warned that Smotrich is calling for expanding settlements and colonization in the West Bank in an effort to annex and impose full Israeli sovereignty over it. He claims that stability and peace do not come through negotiations with the Palestinians, but rather through imposing facts on the ground through force and control.

They said that while US President Donald Trump's talk of his determination to find a solution carries a degree of optimism, it also raises significant concerns. The nature of the proposed solution is largely ambiguous and lacks clarity, whetting the appetite of Smotrich, Ben-Gvir, and the extreme right-wing religious movement that controls the policies of the occupation government.

Trump's populist tendencies... and the lies of the liberal movement

Journalist and analyst specializing in Israeli affairs, Mohammed Zidan, said, "To understand Minister Bezalel Smotrich's statements, they must be placed within the context of understanding them, as part of the religious Zionist ideology that drives the settler movement, through this fascist current that has permeated Israeli politics and government institutions for more than two decades."

He added that Smotrich is one of the most prominent figures of the extreme right-wing religious nationalist movement in Israel. He serves as the head of the Religious Zionism party, which views the "Greater Land of Israel" as a sacred land that may not be relinquished. He also strongly opposes any settlement based on accepting a "Palestinian state," considering it a dangerous and contradictory embodiment that threatens "the historical and religious right of the Jewish people to the entire land west of the Jordan River."

Zidan asserted that Smotrich calls for expanding settlements and colonization in the West Bank in an effort to annex and impose full Israeli sovereignty over it, claiming that stability and peace do not come through negotiations with the Palestinians, but rather through imposing facts on the ground through force and control.

He pointed out that this ideology is the actual embodiment of his statements, which state that this does not conflict with expanding agreements that promote normalization and peace with Arab states, and which come in the form of surrender to Israeli power, not "accepting a Palestinian state as a precondition for any agreement," as Zionist liberalism promotes.

Zidane believes that "Trump's populist tendencies make him the president most closely associated with shattering the lies of the liberal movement, and the Palestinian issue becomes one of the biggest of those lies, given that Arab and Islamic countries, as well as Western countries - according to Israeli liberalism - will accept normalization with the fait accompli imposed by Israel based on strength and mutual interests, without the issue of peace and normalization remaining hostage to the Palestinian issue. Simply put, this is the basic understanding: (We can make peace with the Arabs because we defeat them, and because we are stronger, the world will accept what we do)."

He noted that Smotrich serves as a minister in the Israeli Ministry of Defense and has been granted unprecedented powers in the so-called "Civil Administration" in the West Bank, including broad powers related to managing the civil affairs of Palestinians and settlers in the West Bank. This appointment has significant implications for the actual and gradual annexation of the West Bank to Israel.

Journalist Zidane considered Smotrich's statements to reflect the prevailing attitude among most components of the current Israeli government. However, these extremist positions have not led to actual international isolation or effective political deterrence.

He pointed out that Western countries continue to develop their relations with Israel, and that some of these countries support Israel politically and even militarily during its wars against the Palestinians, as has been the case since the beginning of the current war on Gaza and, more recently, in the war against Iran.

He said that these countries have not taken any serious action to prevent the expansion of settlements (which has implications for ending the "two-state solution") that they verbally seek, and have not worked towards a genuine negotiating process that would lead to its realization.

Zidane concluded by saying: “In order not to remain hostage to this bleak picture painted by the dreams of religious Zionism, it is necessary to point to the changes taking place in the street and in global public opinion (even though it has not yet transformed into an effective political force), in addition to the legendary steadfastness of Gaza and its people, and the Palestinians remaining on their land, despite the displacement and starvation projects and the continuation of normalization, and with hope for some initial changes taking place in international blocs, in order to create a different image, based on the authenticity of right and truth, and their ability to inevitably triumph over injustice and falsification based on the logic of force.”

Attempts to liquidate the refugee issue

Israeli affairs expert Dr. Ibrahim Abu Jaber asserted that the region is facing projects whose scope is known only to God Almighty. It appears that their outcome will be part of an attempt to liquidate the Palestinian cause, as well as the refugee issue, based on what is happening in the Palestinian camps in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

He added that there are upcoming changes in the region, including Israel's attempts to win over some Arab countries to its project and the United States' project, represented by the Abraham Accords, and the expansion of normalization with Arab and Islamic countries.

He also noted that there are Israeli and American efforts to eliminate the Iranian nuclear project and prevent Tehran from completing it. He also noted indications of preparations for potential strikes targeting Ansar Allah in Yemen, according to Israeli media reports.

Regarding Gaza, Abu Jaber said: "There is talk of a vision agreed upon between Trump and Netanyahu, published by the newspaper Israel Hayom, which includes several provisions, most notably:

Formation of a committee of four Arab countries to manage civil affairs in the Gaza Strip.

Maintaining security and military control in the hands of Israeli forces, with the possibility of a limited US military presence in the Strip.

Deportation of Hamas leaders from Gaza.

Annexing parts of the West Bank (Area C) to Israeli sovereignty.

Expanding the scope of the Abraham Accords.

The displacement of a number of Palestinians to other countries, and the United States may seek to impose this on some of these countries.

Abu Jaber pointed out that the Netanyahu government is pursuing a policy of expansion and attacking the vital forces in the region, particularly in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Iraq, and Gaza. He predicted that this government would remain in power until October 27, 2026, unless it falls due to internal factors.

He stressed that one of the most significant challenges facing the Israeli government is the law on conscription of religious Jews (Haredim), who are threatening to withdraw from the government if they are not exempted from military service.

He added that there is another threat from Smotrich and Otzma Yehudit party leader Ben-Gvir, should a swap deal or ceasefire be signed with Hamas, as they threaten to withdraw from the government and bring it down.

He pointed out that bringing down Netanyahu's government could be achieved through a vote of no confidence or a bill to dissolve the Knesset, but previous attempts have failed, the most recent of which occurred just two weeks ago.

Abu Jaber criticized the international silence, at a time when efforts are intensifying to liquidate the Palestinian cause and destroy the dream of establishing a Palestinian state.

If Trump is serious, he must take into account the demands of the Palestinian people.

Ismat Mansour, a journalist specializing in Israeli affairs, said that while President Trump's talk of his determination to find a solution carries a degree of optimism, it also raises many concerns. The nature of the proposed solution is largely ambiguous and lacks clarity.

He added that Trump's relationship with Netanyahu, and their handling of the conflict, is truly worrisome. All the talk so far has revolved around a solution, deals, normalization, agreements, new horizons, and a new Middle East, without any involvement from the Palestinian side or even a consideration of their perspective. Even the Arab position is almost completely absent from these discussions.

Mansour continued: This approach whets the appetite of the Israeli right, such as Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, to enshrine the concept of "peace for peace," meaning that merely signing a peace agreement with Israel is an achievement and should not be linked to the Palestinian issue or the necessity of resolving it. Netanyahu describes this type of peace as "peace from a position of strength," and considers it the foundation upon which the Abraham Accords were built. From this perspective, Israelis are no longer hostages to the Palestinian issue.

He added: "I see this approach as dangerous, but also unrealistic, because the Saudi, Jordanian, Egyptian, and Arab positions in general still emphasize linking any normalization to a solution to the Palestinian issue. What happened on October 7th carries a great lesson: The Palestinian issue cannot be ignored as long as most of the region's crises stem from the absence of a just solution and the continued Israeli occupation."

He continued: "If Trump is truly serious about reaching a solution, he must take into account the demands of the Palestinian people and the minimum that can be agreed upon by Palestinians and Arabs, based on the Arab Peace Initiative. Anything less will be mere illusions, a waste of time, and talk for public consumption, nothing more."

The necessity of addressing the internal Palestinian situation

Regarding what is required of the Palestinians, Mansour pointed out that the Palestinians will not be able to impose themselves and their demands on the international community unless they address their internal situation. The state of division, weakness, lack of reform, poverty, and isolation between the political leadership and the people are all factors that weaken the Palestinian position.

Mansour added: "The Palestinian leadership must take serious internal steps to strengthen its internal cohesion, reinforce its relationship with its people, and restore popular support so that it can confront future challenges with confidence and clarity."

Official Israeli discourse seeks to bypass the Palestinian issue regionally.

For his part, Middle East expert Dr. Hassan Marhej said, "Smotrich's statements about 'liberating' the Middle East from its dependence on the Palestinian cause reflect an extremist Israeli approach aimed at completely marginalizing the Palestinian cause, viewing it as a 'lie' that obstructs what they call 'real peace' based solely on Israeli power and interests, rather than on the national rights of the Palestinians."

He pointed out that this discourse promotes broad normalization with Arab countries without any political price for the Palestinians or any prospect of a Palestinian state. Rather, it categorically rejects any Palestinian national entity, emphasizing "peace for peace" and expanding the Abraham Accords.

Marhej stressed that the official Israeli discourse today seeks to bypass the Palestinian issue regionally.

Dr. Marhej concluded by emphasizing that Smotrich's statements reflect a major shift in the regional political landscape, indicating that the Palestinian issue may face new challenges amid shifting priorities.

Marhej added, "It will be essential for the Palestinians to work to redirect international and Arab attention toward their cause to ensure continued support and their status as a central issue in the region."

Trump and Netanyahu's attempts to build a "new Middle East" will fail.

In turn, Israeli affairs expert Adel Shadid said: "It is clear that the right-wing religious nationalist movement, which shares power with Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel, agrees that the opportunity presents itself to liquidate the Palestinian cause and the Palestinian people, based solely on the principle of force."

Shadid does not believe that the Middle East that Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump seek to build will succeed, regardless of the collusion of certain regimes. He believes that the majority of Arab peoples will remain vibrant and have not lost their sense of direction. They will rise up to defend their dignity and will be capable of thwarting this project.

Resolve the conflict with iron and fire..!

For his part, journalist and expert on Israeli affairs Wadih Awawdeh asserted that Smotrich and Netanyahu, along with broad circles within the Likud Party and the Israeli right, have for some time been promoting the idea of normalization without resolving the Palestinian issue. According to this approach, there is no Palestine or Palestinian issue, and peace is for peace, not for land, contrary to what was previously practiced.

He added that this movement believes that the conflict with the Palestinians, who continue to resist and demand their rights, must be resolved with an iron fist, as Smotrich expressed in his 2017 theory.

Awawdeh believes Smotrich's recent statements are intended to appeal to his audience, particularly given his fear that this audience might turn away or become angry if the possibility of a deal, a ceasefire, or normalization with Saudi Arabia were raised in exchange for a political settlement of the Palestinian issue, which could ultimately lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state. This proposal angers and worries the right.

Partisan and personal points scoring

He did not rule out the possibility that Smotrich's statements were intended to score party and personal points, especially given his declining popularity according to recent opinion polls.

Awawdeh continues: "Ultimately, what matters is not what Smotrich says, but what Netanyahu does. On the ground, Smotrich plays an active role as Finance Minister and an additional minister in the Ministry of Defense. He has the ability to influence Netanyahu. Over the past two or three years, he has contributed to deepening Judaization and settlement expansion and escalating daily attacks on Palestinians, particularly in the West Bank. All of this is an official Israeli decision, not a coincidence."

Awawdeh concluded by saying, "I believe the Palestinians have a major role to play at this stage in restoring their unity, making it difficult for any party to bypass them, especially since Netanyahu has continued with his strategy of entrenching the geopolitical separation between Gaza and the West Bank for more than twenty years. Therefore, the Palestinians must seize the initiative and work to prevent further deterioration of the Palestinian issue."