Israel’s far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has ordered preparations for the annexation of settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

A top official in Israel is floating his plan to take sovereign control over the West Bank in 2025. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced Monday at a faction meeting of his Religious Zionism party that he believes “the time has come to apply [Israel’s] sovereignty over the West Bank,

Israeli far-right minister and long-time supporter of Israeli settlements Bezalel Smotrich said on Monday that he had ordered preparations for an Israeli annexation of the occupied West Bank.

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's far-right finance minister said on Monday that he hopes Israel will extend sovereignty into the occupied West Bank in 2025.

New administration could allow Israel to advance annexation of settlements, claims far-right finance minister, says the groundwork is already being put into place

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich welcomed President-elect Donald Trump’s electoral victory Monday, saying that “the time has come” to extend full Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank.

Israel's far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich pledged on Monday to annex Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank in 2025, calling

The minister said he had instructed Israeli authorities overseeing West Bank settlements “to begin professional and comprehensive staff work to prepare the necessary infrastructure” for extending sovereignty.

Donald Trump’s election as the 47th president of the United States provides Israel with an “important opportunity” to “apply Israeli sovereignty to the settlements in Jude