Israeli Finance Minister Calls for Palestinian ‘Migration’ and End to Oslo Accords
– Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Tuesday called for the next Israeli government to actively “encourage the migration” of Palestinians from the West Bank and to formally abolish the Oslo Accords, paving the way for full Israeli sovereignty over the region.
Speaking at a conference at the Psagot Winery in Binyamin, Smotrich stated that the incoming government must “complete the revolution – eliminate the idea of an Arab terror state, cancel the Oslo Accords and pursue the path of sovereignty.” He argued that this should be achieved “while encouraging voluntary emigration both in Gaza and in Judea and Samaria. There is no other solution,” according to reports.
Smotrich’s remarks come amid increasing Israeli government actions signaling a shift away from the long-standing Oslo Accords, agreements that have formed the basis of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations for decades. , reports indicated Israel was giving itself more control over the occupied West Bank, further eroding the framework established by the Oslo process.
The call for “voluntary emigration” echoes similar statements made by Smotrich earlier this month, where he suggested the next government should actively work to facilitate the departure of Palestinians from the West Bank. This stance has drawn criticism and raised concerns about potential forced displacement.
Smotrich also proposed dismantling the Palestinian Authority (PA) and replacing it with a new Israeli military administration. This plan, announced on , aims to ultimately apply full Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank, a move that would significantly alter the political landscape of the region.
The finance minister’s comments were delivered at a conference dedicated to “strengthening the Jewish hold in Judea and Samaria,” highlighting the ideological underpinnings of his proposals. His statements reflect a growing trend within the Israeli government towards a more assertive and uncompromising approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
These proposals build on previous discussions and actions. In January 2024, multiple Israeli ministers attended a conference calling for the “voluntary migration” of Palestinians, a move that drew international condemnation and raised concerns about potential violations of international law. That event, called the “Victory of Israel Conference: Settlement Brings Security,” hosted speeches by extremist figures within the Netanyahu cabinet.
The international court of justice had previously ruled that Israel must “take all measures within its power” to avoid acts of genocide in its war in Gaza, including the “prevention and punishment of genocidal rhetoric.” The attendance of government officials at the January 2024 conference was seen by some as potentially violating this ruling.
Smotrich’s latest statements represent a significant escalation in rhetoric and policy proposals, signaling a potential shift towards a more radical approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The implications of these proposals, should they be implemented, are far-reaching and could have a profound impact on the future of the region.
