An Israeli minister called for expanded sovereignty over the West Bank after Trump's victory. “The time has come,” he said.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich expressed his joy and congratulated Donald Trump on his victory in the US presidential election. He declared that “the time has come to expand and strengthen Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank.”

In his opinion, this will become possible “after the change of power in the White House,” as noted in Smotrich’s statement made on November 11, at a meeting of the “Religious Zionists” faction in the Knesset. It is important to note that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supported this initiative after discussing the Iranian threat with Trump three times.

The minister expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that the current White House administration interfered in Israel's internal affairs and refused to work with him personally. At the same time, he expressed hope to begin working with the team of the new US President to strengthen friendly relations between the countries. Trump's victory, according to Smotrich, opens up new prospects and opportunities for Israel.

Recalling the successful past term of President Trump, the minister noted the important measures taken by the administration for Israel: the recognition of sovereignty in the Golan Heights, the move of the embassy to Jerusalem, the legality of Jewish settlement of the West Bank and the conclusion of the Abrahamic Accords.

“We were close to applying Israeli sovereignty in the territory of Judea and Samaria, and now is the time to act,” Smotrich said. In his opinion, “the creation of an Arab state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip hangs over the existence of Israel.”

The UN General Assembly adopted the so-called “Palestinian resolution” requiring Israel to leave the Gaza Strip and the West Bank within 12 months. This decision was supported by 124 countries, including Russia. Israel's Foreign Ministry called the decision “distorted, encouraging terrorism and preventing peace.”