AhlulBayt News Agency: Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich has vowed to escalate land expropriation in the occupied West Bank if the European Union recognizes Palestine.
Smotrich stated on Friday that Israel has an escalation plan should France and other European nations push forward with Palestinian statehood recognition.
He added that the plan includes imposing Israeli sovereignty over Area C, displacing residents of Khan al-Ahmar, and disrupting the banking system.
Area C covers approximately 60% of the occupied West Bank and is home to the majority of Israeli settlements.
On Thursday, Smotrich visited newly built illegal settlements, where Israel recently approved 22 new settlements.
During the tour, he ordered the acceleration of settlement legalization and outlined a plan to impose Israeli sovereignty over all remaining land in the West Bank.
Smotrich has been a key figure in Israel’s settlement expansion and annexation efforts.
Meanwhile, France has been urging European Union member states to recognize Palestinian statehood.
France and Saudi Arabia are set to co-chair a UN conference this month, aimed at recognizing Palestine.
A total of 143 countries have voted in favor of upgrading Palestine’s status in a UN resolution.
The resolution grants Palestine new rights and privileges, recognizing it as qualified to join the UN as a full member.
However, the United States remains opposed to Palestinian recognition, using its veto power to block pro-Palestinian resolutions in favor of Israel.
The US continues to back Israel, allowing its leaders to commit atrocities with impunity, including genocide in Gaza, forced displacement, child killings, and land annexation.
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