Egypt condemns statements of Israeli finance minister on annexing territories in West Bank

CAIRO – 12 November 2024: Egypt condemned Tuesday the statements made Monday by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on ordering his department to prepare the necessary infrastructure to annex parts of the West Bank and those are where Israel had already built settlements.

The statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the move as a blatant violation of international law, humanitarian international law, and all relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

"Those irresponsible and extremist statements by a member of the Israeli government clearly reflects its orientation that opposes making the peace choice…and insistence on adopting the policy of arrogance. It is the same policy that made the region enter the current circle of conflict in the first place," the statement said.   

The ministry added that the statements also contradict the international community's stance advocating for ending the occupation, and establishing an independent Palestinian State on the borders of June 4, 1967 having as capital Eastern Jerusalem.