For decades, Israel has navigated the tension between the aspiration to restore full sovereignty for Jews in their ancestral homeland and the persistent international pressure to partition the land to carve out yet another failed terror state. Recent developments suggest a decisive shift in this dynamic.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s remarks at the Makor Rishon Settlement Conference signal a pivotal moment. He announced that the government’s intention to advance development in the long-stalled E1 corridor, a move that has faced international opposition since the Rabin era.
The E1 project is not merely a zoning issue; it is a strategic initiative that connects Jerusalem to Ma’aleh Adumim, ensuring territorial continuity and challenging the viability of a contiguous Palestinian state. The international community’s long-standing resistance to this underscores its significance.
Beyond the E1, Smotrich outlined an expansive agenda: More than 15,000 housing units have been approved since January, with NIS 7 billion (nearly $2 million) allocated for infrastructure, 28 communities granted formal recognition, and more than 20,000 dunams designated as state land. These measures reflect a comprehensive strategy to solidify Israel’s presence in Judea and Samaria.
A notable aspect of this strategy is the transition from military to civilian governance in these areas. The establishment of the settlement administration within the Israeli Defense Ministry, staffed with legal experts to formalize Jewish communities, marks a significant departure from the framework of the Oslo Accords.
Smotrich’s vision extends to Gaza, where he advocates for the complete dismantling of Hamas’s infrastructure and the concentration of the population in a designated area, facilitating eventual relocation. While controversial, this approach emphasizes the necessity to take decisive action against entities committed to Israel’s destruction.
This strategic shift is echoed by figures across the political spectrum. Israeli President Isaac Herzog recently described settlements in Judea and Samaria as “Israel’s defensive shield,” highlighting their role in national security. Similarly, National Unity Party leader Benny Gantz labeled the 2005 Gaza disengagement a “strategic error” and dismissed the feasibility of a Palestinian state as “detached from security reality.”
The evolving discourse suggests a growing consensus: Jewish presence in Judea and Samaria is not an obstacle to peace but a guarantor of security. The two-state paradigm, once widely endorsed, is increasingly viewed as untenable given the persistent threats and failures of past negotiations.
Israel stands at a crossroads. The current government’s actions reflect a commitment to the path towards sovereignty, reinforcing Israel’s position both domestically and on the international stage.
{Reposted from JNS}
