![Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich (R) attend a press conference at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem on January 25, 2023. [Photo by RONEN ZVULUN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images]](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GettyImages-1246530757-1.jpg)
Israeli far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich has threatened Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with moves to dismantle the Palestinian Authority if Israel does not impose sovereignty over the occupied West Bank. Israel’s Channel 12 quoted Smotrich as telling Netanyahu: “I will work to bring down the Palestinian Authority if sovereignty is not applied to the West Bank.” Earlier, Smotrich unveiled a proposal to annex around 82 per cent of the West Bank. The plan is based on detailed maps prepared in recent months by the settlement directorate of Israel’s Ministry of Defence, highlighting targeted areas and mechanisms for implementing the project. Smotrich represents one of the most extreme right-wing currents in Israel. He has previously called for “erasing entire Palestinian towns […]
