Israel’s Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has proposed the establishment of security zones around Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank in order to keep Palestinian farmers away during the olive harvest season. This move comes as clashes between settlers and Palestinians have been common during this time. Smotrich, who leads a religious-nationalist party in the ruling coalition, has written to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, urging them to create special zones to prevent Palestinians from approaching the settlements, including during the olive harvest.
The West Bank is a complex area with hillside cities, Israeli settlements, and army checkpoints, which have caused divisions among Palestinian communities. Smotrich pointed to the recent attack on southern Israel by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip as a lesson for the West Bank settlements. He demanded that the Israeli Defense Forces be instructed to establish wide security zones around the settlements and roads, and to prevent Arabs from approaching them. Smotrich also suggested compensating those who are affected by the restrictions.
The offices of Netanyahu and Gallant have not provided any immediate comments regarding Smotrich’s proposal. Smotrich, whose party receives significant support from the settler movement, has clashed with Gallant, a former army general, on numerous occasions since the coalition government took office last year. He believes that the current security policy in the area, which primarily focuses on protecting the olive harvest, needs a comprehensive overhaul.
Smotrich’s letter comes at a time of increasing violence in the West Bank following the Hamas attack and Israel’s subsequent airstrikes on Gaza. According to the United Nations relief agency OCHA, settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank have more than doubled since October 7. Smotrich has also refused to release part of the tax revenue collected by Israel on behalf of the Palestinian Authority, despite Gallant’s suggestion that the funds be disbursed to help maintain stability.
In conclusion, Smotrich’s proposal for security zones around Jewish settlements in the West Bank aims to prevent clashes between settlers and Palestinians during the olive harvest season. However, it remains to be seen how the Israeli government will respond to his call for action.
