Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has claimed that the entire occupied West Bank belongs to Israel.
Ben-Gvir made the remarks in an interview with Israel’s Channel 14. He said there was no difference between Areas A, B and C of the West Bank.
“The entire land is ours. This is our country,” Ben-Gvir said, according to Israeli media reports.
Ben-Gvir Vows Action Against Palestinian Authority
Ben-Gvir also said he would seek to dismantle the Palestinian Authority if he becomes Israel’s defense minister.
He further said he would work to promote the displacement of Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
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The comments come during campaigning ahead of Israel’s October 27 Knesset election. Ben-Gvir has been seeking a larger role in security and defense policy.
West Bank Divided Under Oslo Accords
The 1995 Oslo II Accord divided the West Bank into Areas A, B and C with different administrative and security arrangements.
Area A is under Palestinian civil and security control. Area B has Palestinian civil administration and Israeli security control. Israel maintains full administrative and security control over Area C, which covers about 60% of the West Bank.
Ben-Gvir’s statement that all three areas belong to Israel therefore goes beyond the administrative framework established under the Oslo agreements.
His comments also come amid increased international concern over settlement expansion and the displacement of Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank. Rights groups have reported growing settler violence and displacement in several areas.
Regional Governments Reject Displacement Plans
In September, the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia, Türkiye and Egypt jointly rejected statements by Ben-Gvir and Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz concerning the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.
The ministers said such proposals conflicted with international law and the rights of Palestinians.
