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Israel's Smotrich Proposes Palestinian Emigration from West Bank and Gaza

Published February 18, 2026, 09:12
Israel's Smotrich Proposes Palestinian Emigration from West Bank and Gaza

Israeli far-right minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for "encouraging emigration" of Palestinians from the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip in order to establish Israeli "sovereignty" over these Palestinian territories. During an event organized by his Religious Zionism party, Smotrich stated that he would cancel the Oslo agreements and promote sovereignty, considering emigration as the only long-term solution. This proposal comes at a time of increased Israeli control over the West Bank, which Israel occupied in 1967. The government has adopted measures to increase its influence even in areas administered by the Palestinian Authority. The proposal by Smotrich has drawn international condemnation, as it is seen as undermining the prospects for a just and sustainable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The international community has expressed concern over the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Smotrich's statement is expected to further worsen already tense relations between Israelis and Palestinians and complicate efforts to achieve peace in the region.

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