Abdullah Abu Rahma: Smotrich's announcement is not for new confiscation, but rather a celebration of the confiscation achievements that have taken place since last February to create geographical continuity between the settlements

Imad Moussa: Israel is pushing towards ending any outcomes of the Oslo Accords by depriving the Palestinians of the possibility of establishing a geographically or politically connected state

Yasser Manna: Smotrich's announcement is not random or spur of the moment, but rather part of plans prepared by Israeli research centers to strengthen the government's settlement orientation

Nizar Nazzal: The Israeli plan aims to impose a new reality that makes it impossible to implement the two-state solution or establish an independent Palestinian political entity

Abdul Hadi Hantash: Smotrich's announcement comes within policies aimed at confining Palestinians to isolated communities in the midst of settlement blocs and preventing the establishment of a Palestinian state

Adnan Al-Sabah: The international silence towards the occupation’s practices and crimes reflects an implicit complicity that allows Israel to impose new facts on the ground

The recent announcement by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to confiscate 24,000 dunams of Palestinian land, followed by his announcement to abolish the “Civil Administration” of the occupation army, was nothing more than a link in the expansionist settlement policies in the West Bank pursued by the current Israeli government led by the extreme right, which aim to accelerate the imposition of Israeli sovereignty and undermine any chance of establishing a Palestinian state.

In separate interviews with “Y,” writers, political analysts, specialists, experts, and officials explain that Smotrich’s statements and announcement reveal intensive efforts to transform the confiscated lands into interconnected settlement areas, which leads to the isolation of Palestinian villages and their transformation into disconnected “cantons.”

They stress that these measures are not a recent development, but rather the culmination of decades-long settlement policies aimed at tightening Israeli control over Palestinian lands and liquidating the Palestinian cause.

24,144 dunums confiscated since February 2024

Abdullah Abu Rahma, Director of the Popular Action Department at the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission, explains that what Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced about the confiscation of 24,000 dunams of West Bank land is not new, but rather a celebration of the confiscation achievements that have taken place since the beginning of this year.

According to Abu Rahma, since February 2024, six separate announcements have been issued about the seizure of these lands, bringing the total to 24,144 dunams.

Abu Rahma points out that these lands, which Smotrich announced the crowning of control over, extend over areas southeast of Jerusalem, the Jordan Valley, Bethlehem, southern Nablus, and western Ramallah, and are among the largest confiscation operations witnessed by the Palestinians in three decades.

Abu Rahma asserts that the declarations of “state lands” represent the final stage of confiscation, as they are the closest step to transforming lands into settlement expansion areas, such that what is confiscated is given to the benefit of settlement councils, to be later transformed into structural plans, which is a preliminary step for building new settlements or expanding existing settlements.

According to Abu Rahma, these operations aim to create geographical continuity between the settlements, which isolates the Palestinian villages and prevents their geographical continuity, so that they become like “cantons” surrounded by settlements and settlement road networks.

Abu Rahma points out that Smotrich, who founded the settlement organization Regavim, has worked for years to obstruct Palestinian expansion and encourage settlement. The organization monitored buildings in Bedouin communities and reported them to the Civil Administration of the occupation army, which led to their demolition. Today, as Minister of Finance and one of the people directly responsible for the Civil Administration, Smotrich is strengthening his plans by approving extensive settlement projects.

According to Abu Rahma, this year, the number of approved settlement master plans exceeded 250 plans, and the number of proposed settlement units exceeded 20,000 units.

Abu Rahma confirms that this settlement expansion comes within a cumulative policy that aims to control Palestinian lands, especially Bedouin communities, and achieve continuous settlement continuity from the Jordan Valley to the southern West Bank.

Abu Rahma explains that the most prominent manifestations of this policy are the displacement of Bedouin communities and the evacuation of small Palestinian villages, especially those close to settlements, as Israel seeks to empty these areas of Palestinian residents to enable settlement expansion.

It indicates a clear escalation in settlement practices after October 7, 2023, as we witness an increase in attacks carried out by settlers supported by groups affiliated with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, which have been armed to attack Palestinians. The aim of these attacks is to pressure the Palestinians to force them to leave their lands, a policy that falls within the plan of forced displacement.

Abu Rahma stresses that the continuation of these practices without international pressure will lead to a worsening of the situation, especially with an Israeli government that considers further land confiscation and displacement as strategic goals, even though they contradict international laws and constitute war crimes.

Abu Rahma explains that the Israeli occupation government's only goal is to displace Palestinians in the areas extending from the northern Jordan Valley and the eastern slopes of the West Bank mountains and the central Jordan Valley all the way to Masafer Yatta and Adh Dhahiriya in the south, and to create a continuous settlement continuity at the expense of the Palestinian population.

Abu Rahma believes that the Palestinians face difficult challenges in the coming period, as daily practices of house demolitions, land confiscation, and settler attacks aim to undermine the steadfastness of the Palestinians and force them to leave.

Abu Rahma stresses that despite these pressures, the Palestinian people are still clinging to their land, but this requires an effective Palestinian strategy to confront these challenges, in parallel with working to find international action to stop Israeli crimes.

Israel exploits international focus on Gaza, Syria to accelerate West Bank policies

Writer and political analyst Imad Musa points out that the dramatic transformations witnessed in Gaza in light of the ongoing Israeli aggression have turned the Strip into ghost towns, amid systematic genocide, and Israel is exploiting this tragic scene to create a state of international distraction from its crimes, by drawing attention to other regional files, such as what is happening in Syria, where armed organizations have contributed to the destruction of the country, and Israel and its allies have tightened the noose on Iran through Iraq.

In this context, Musa explains that the Israeli right-wing government is exploiting the international focus on Gaza and Syria to accelerate its expansionist policies in the West Bank.

Musa points out that this right-wing Israeli government may resort to carrying out ethnic cleansing operations in various areas, including land confiscation, forced displacement of residents, and even “small genocides” that force the remaining Palestinians to emigrate outside the West Bank.

Musa asserts that these practices come within a broader plan to liquidate the Palestinian cause, considering that the current stage is witnessing successive steps that will fire the "mercy bullet" at the Oslo Accords.

Musa attributes this to Israel’s move towards imposing a new reality based on dismantling the Palestinians’ connection to their lands and transferring the administration of their affairs to cities isolated from each other, which establishes a policy of dismemberment and separate administrations.

Mousa believes that Israel is pushing towards ending any outcomes of the Oslo Accords, by stripping the Palestinians of the possibility of establishing a geographically or politically connected state, and imposing a new reality in which Palestinian cities are managed as separate entities, under strict control, so that they do not pose any threat to the Zionist project.

Musa points out that there is a dangerous scenario in which the Palestinians submit credentials to administer these cities as a temporary solution, before this option is imposed by force, whether through genocide or forced displacement, which puts the Palestinians before difficult choices, as accepting this scenario is considered surrender to the will of the occupation and a real liquidation of the Palestinian cause.

Musa stresses that the current stage requires a comprehensive Palestinian mobilization to confront the Israeli policies that aim to completely liquidate the Palestinian cause, which confirms the importance of building a unified national strategy that enhances the steadfastness of the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, and rejects the imposed solutions that perpetuate the occupation and destroy national rights.

Strengthening the settlement project of the occupation government

The writer specializing in Israeli affairs, Yasser Manna, confirms that the announcement by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to confiscate 24,000 dunams of West Bank land and to abolish the Civil Administration of the occupation army is an escalatory step that reflects the Israeli government’s orientations towards strengthening its settlement project and expanding in the Palestinian territories.

Manaa explains that this announcement comes within a series of systematic steps aimed at consolidating Israeli control over the West Bank, far from any official announcement of annexation, within the framework of settlement policies that weaken the chances of achieving a future political settlement and create a new reality that threatens the Palestinian existence.

He points out that the confiscation of lands in the West Bank is part of an integrated plan aimed at strengthening the settlement project, and the main goal of these policies is to reduce the areas available to Palestinians, which leads to their forced displacement and the imposition of a settlement fait accompli.

According to Manna, Smotrich's announcement is an additional step towards the actual annexation of Palestinian lands, without the need for official political decisions to announce this to the international community.

Manaa stresses that these policies show an Israeli determination to undermine the possibility of establishing a geographically connected Palestinian entity, which is a flagrant violation of international law and international legitimacy resolutions.

Manna points out that the confiscation of lands aims to destroy the social and economic fabric of the Palestinians, which weakens their ability to withstand Israeli plans.

According to Manna, these confiscations perpetuate the apartheid system that turns Palestinians into isolated enclaves surrounded by sprawling settlements. At the same time, these policies inflame Palestinian anger, leading to a field escalation that could develop into unprecedented levels of confrontation.

In addition, Manna points out that these steps reinforce the economic and social isolation of the Palestinians, as the confiscation of lands leads to the destruction of the Palestinian social structure and weakens the ability of the Palestinians to strengthen their presence on the land.

Manna stresses the need to adopt a comprehensive and effective strategy to confront these Israeli policies, such that this strategy begins by focusing Palestinian efforts on developing and cultivating the lands threatened with confiscation, in a way that demonstrates Palestinian adherence to the land.

Manaa stresses the importance of intensifying diplomatic efforts through international institutions, such as the United Nations and the International Criminal Court, to expose Israeli violations as documented war crimes, including forced displacement and illegal confiscations.

Manaa points out the importance of strengthening Palestinian national unity and ending the internal division to unify ranks in the face of Israeli plans that target all Palestinians without exception.

Manna recommends supporting Palestinians in areas threatened with land confiscation, through small economic and agricultural projects that contribute to their stability on their land.

Manna explains that what is happening and Smotrich’s announcement is not random or a product of the moment, but rather part of plans prepared by Israeli settlement research centers, such as the Shiloh Forum, which works to develop studies and recommendations aimed at expanding the scope of Israeli control in line with the Zionist vision of emptying the land of its indigenous inhabitants.

Mana' points out that talk of abolishing the Civil Administration has more symbolic dimensions than a substantive process. The Civil Administration is essentially an alternative to Israeli military rule, and it is not expected to be completely abolished. Instead, some powers will be transferred to the relevant Israeli ministries, such as the Ministry of Education, which has become responsible for managing education in the settlements and some areas of the West Bank.

Mana explains that Smotrich, despite his role as a minister, is merely a facade for a complex security system subject to Israeli and international political and security considerations, as any substantive steps related to the West Bank cannot be implemented without the approval of the United States, which is a key partner in supporting Israel.

First step in a comprehensive plan to annex large parts of the West Bank

Nizar Nazzal, a researcher specializing in Israeli affairs and conflict issues, believes that the announcement by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich about the confiscation of 24,000 dunams in the West Bank constitutes the first step in a comprehensive plan to annex large parts of the West Bank and impose Israeli sovereignty over them.

This step, according to Nazzal, is not random or individual, but rather comes within the context of an integrated plan being implemented in coordination with the United States.

Nazzal explains that the Israeli plan extends to ending the role of the civil administration of the occupation army in the West Bank, and transferring the responsibility of managing these areas to the Israeli ministries, which reflects a gradual transition towards imposing full sovereignty over the West Bank.

Nazzal points out that this confiscation is only the beginning, as it is expected to be followed by other steps aimed at expanding the settlements and significantly increasing the number of settlers in the West Bank, which will strengthen Israeli dominance over the land and weaken the Palestinian presence there.

Nizar highlights the strategic risks of this move, as Israel seeks to dismember the West Bank by establishing separate Palestinian “cantons,” reducing the space available to Palestinians, and thus destroying the possibility of establishing an independent Palestinian state in the future.

Nazzal believes that these policies aim to reduce the role of the Palestinian Authority in managing the affairs of the West Bank, which would deprive the Palestinians of any unified political address that represents them on the ground.

Nazzal stresses that the Israeli plan aims to impose a new reality that makes it impossible to implement the two-state solution or establish an independent Palestinian political entity.

He points out that this reality perpetuates the occupation's dominance and turns the Palestinians into dispersed groups within isolated areas, while destroying the foundations of the Palestinian economy and pushing the Palestinians into poverty and despair of reality and trying to pressure them to displace them.

Nazzal believes that confronting these Israeli policies requires a comprehensive Palestinian strategy based on several axes.

The most prominent of these steps: activating Security Council Resolution (2334), which calls on Israel to halt all settlement activities and prevents changing the demographic reality in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Nazzal points to an important step, which is to start a broad diplomatic movement that includes intensive Palestinian international movement to address the international community, including the United Nations and the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, with the aim of shedding light on Israeli violations and holding the occupation accountable.

Nazzal confirms that there is an important step towards confrontation, which is to put the Palestinian internal house in order through the importance of achieving Palestinian national unity as a basic condition for confronting the dangers, and forming a unified strategy under the umbrella of the Palestine Liberation Organization.

Nazzal stresses the importance of strengthening popular and international mobilization to confront the occupation’s measures by working with international allies to form a global public opinion against Israeli policies, especially before the United States and the current US administration.

Nazzal believes that confronting these Israeli policies requires rebuilding the Palestinian national project on strong and cohesive foundations.

Nazzal believes that national unity is not just an option, but an urgent necessity to confront the increasing challenges and ensure the continuation of the Palestinian struggle to preserve what remains of its rights and lands in light of the Israeli plans that aim to completely erase the Palestinian presence.

Expanding settlements and imposing new facts in favor of the annexation project

Abdul Hadi Hantash, a specialist in land and settlement affairs, warns of the danger of Smotrich’s announcement regarding the confiscation of 24,000 dunams of West Bank land, as part of an integrated plan aimed at expanding Israeli settlements and imposing new facts on the ground in favor of the Israeli annexation project.

Hantash explains that the Israeli occupation authorities seized vast areas of Palestinian land over the past years, prevented their owners from entering them, and then declared them “state property.”

Hantash points out that the Israeli occupation authorities have prepared structural plans for all settlements in the West Bank, which include large areas of these lands as a settlement reserve with the aim of enhancing settlement expansion and building thousands of housing units in them. This comes within a comprehensive plan to transform small settlement outposts into large settlements, and create geographical continuity between them, what the occupation calls the “corridor,” which prevents Palestinians from accessing their lands.

Hantash stresses that the announcement of the confiscation of lands is only the first step to expanding settlements, building new settlements, and bringing more settlers from within the areas occupied in 1948 to the West Bank.

Hantash points out that this expansion is accompanied by the construction of a network of bypass roads that connect the settlements to each other, which leads to the dismemberment of Palestinian cities and villages and the transformation of the West Bank into isolated "cantons."

Hantash points out that Israel seeks to Judaize as much of the West Bank as possible, as part of old plans aimed at imposing Israeli law on it.

Hantash points out that the occupation authorities divided the West Bank into three main regions starting from the city of Jerusalem, which include: northern Jerusalem, which includes the Jordan Valley and the northern West Bank, the central region, the city of Jerusalem and its surroundings, and the southern region extending to the southern West Bank. These divisions are being implemented in parallel with the establishment of a network of bypass roads that reinforce the isolation of Palestinian areas from each other.

Hantash explains that Smotrich's announcement comes within policies aimed at preventing the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, as the Palestinian territories will become nothing more than small isolated communities in the midst of large settlement blocs.

Hantash warns that declaring the complete annexation of the West Bank will lead to the obliteration of the Palestinian national identity, the complete abolition of the Palestinian Authority, and the imposition of Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank as if it were part of the occupying state.

Hantash stresses that Israeli statements about annexing the West Bank may sometimes seem contradictory, but they reflect an Israeli political consensus on the need for complete control over the Palestinian territories.

He points out that Israel may differ in its means, but it is united in its strategic goal of annexation and displacement of the Palestinians.

Hantash stresses that the Israeli settlements are built according to a circular plan to besiege the Palestinians, which deepens the suffering of the citizens and limits their movement, stressing that these practices aim to impose a fait accompli that is difficult to change in the future.

Hantash stresses that responding to the occupation’s practices with condemnation and denunciation is useless, but confronting these Israeli policies requires the Palestinians to have a serious national strategy and practical steps on the ground.

"The Palestinian Authority and Palestinian society must rise to the challenge, because the occupation is determined to move forward with its plans," Hantash said.

Despite these risks, Hantash stresses that the Palestinians continue to stand firm in the face of the occupation, stressing the importance of strengthening national unity to confront these policies that threaten their rights and future on their land.

A new episode in the series of confiscations that have been ongoing for decades

Writer and political analyst Adnan Al-Sabah believes that Smotrich’s announcement of the confiscation of 24,000 dunams of West Bank land is nothing but a new episode in the series of Israeli confiscations that have been ongoing for decades.

He explains that this confiscation comes as a continuation of a long-term policy that has targeted millions of dunams of Palestinian land over decades, on which settlements have been built to devour Palestinian lands.

Al-Sabah likens what is happening now to the third occupation of Palestinian land, after the 1948 Nakba and the 1967 setback, where the Palestinians lost millions of dunams to settlements.

Al-Sabah points out that the number of settlers in the West Bank has doubled to hundreds of thousands, which makes talk of confiscating 24,000 dunams now ignoring a larger picture of a policy aimed at permanently eliminating the Palestinians’ dream of establishing their independent state.

Al-Sabah stresses that the international silence regarding the occupation’s practices, including land confiscation and settlement construction, reflects an implicit complicity that allows Israel to impose new facts on the ground.

Al-Sabah warns that the repercussions of this silence will be dire for the Palestinians in the coming period, as these policies threaten to dispel the Palestinians’ dreams of freedom, independence, and the establishment of their state, and turn them into illusions that fade away in the face of the realities of the occupation.

He believes that the biggest challenge lies not only in confronting Smotrich's recent announcement, but in confronting the internal Palestinian reality, asking: "Where is our strategy, our programs, and our unity?"

Al-Sabah stresses that the continuation of the Palestinian division and the absence of a clear vision to confront Israeli policies will lead to the loss of the homeland and the cause.

It calls for adopting a comprehensive strategy that strengthens Palestinian national unity, and stresses the need to take bold steps to boycott the occupation completely, whether economically or politically.

Al-Sabah stressed that boycotting Israel in all possible forms is a national duty, not an option, stressing that strengthening national and international efforts to combat the occupation, through pressuring the international community and taking actual measures on the ground, is the only way to try to preserve what remains of the Palestinians’ rights and land.