Israeli Minister Smotrich Calls for Provocative Settlement Tours in the West Bank

The Religious Zionism Party, led by Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, said it would organize provocative "tourist tours" to illegal and illegal settlements established on lands seized from the Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

Responding to French President Emmanuel Macron's accusation that Israel is taking away the Palestinian people's right to exist, Smotrich stated that they will prevent the establishment of a Palestinian State in the region.

Minister Smotrich, in his statement on the social media account of US-based company

'SEE WITH YOUR OWN EYES'

Inviting his voters to visit the 160 illegal and 104 illegal settlements established in the occupied West Bank during the far-right coalition government in which he served as Minister of Finance, Smotrich said, "See the settlement revolution with your own eyes and feel the trust it offers to the State of Israel." he said.

Smotrich, who pioneered the construction of illegal settlements with the aim of annexing the West Bank, published the link to the website prepared by the Religious Zionism Party, which includes travel routes for illegal and illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.

PALESTINE TENSION BETWEEN FRANCE AND ISRAEL

In his speech at the opening of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly, French President Macron pointed out that the peace efforts in Gaza were insufficient and said, "No humanitarian corridor could be opened in Gaza. What happened is a situation that everyone should be ashamed of." He made the statement.

Macron also criticized the escalating Israeli violence in the occupied West Bank and usurping Palestinian lands, stating that this situation "deprived the Palestinian people of their legitimate right to exist."

Simultaneously with the attacks carried out by Israel on the Gaza Strip with the support of the USA since October 8, 2023, the pressure, detention, land seizure and house demolition of Palestinians by the Israelis, who usurped Palestinian lands with the Israeli army, continues to increase in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.

REACTION FROM SMOTRICH TO MACRON

Smotrich also claimed that Macron was "lying" in his post on the social media platform of US-based company X.

Arguing that he will continue to strengthen and build illegal settlements in the West Bank, Smotrich also referred to opposition leaders and said, "A strong Religious Zionism movement will prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state and the destruction of settlements." shared his message.

Israel's Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Danny Danon also reacted to Macron and said, "Study well and check the facts before lecturing Israel." he said.

STATUS OF THE WEST BANK

According to international law, the West Bank, which Israel occupied in 1967, is considered the territory of the future State of Palestine, and Israel has the status of an occupying power there. It is defined as illegal in international law for the occupying power to transfer its own population to the piece of land it occupies and to make changes in ownership there.

Despite this, the Tel Aviv government has accelerated the expansion of existing illegal settlements and the construction of new ones in the occupied West Bank in recent years.