In a stern rebuke, South Africa has condemned a recent statement by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who announced that 2025 would be the “year of annexation” for the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The statement prompted South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) to issue a formal response on Wednesday, decrying Smotrich’s remarks and calling for decisive global action.
DIRCO emphasized the urgency for the international community to counter what it described as Israel’s ongoing expansionist policies in Palestinian territories. It argued that these policies not only violate Palestinian rights but also destabilize the region by escalating tensions.
Israel’s public broadcaster, KAN, reported on Tuesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to revisit annexation plans for the West Bank when U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January. Netanyahu had previously aimed to incorporate parts of the West Bank and the Jordan Valley into Israel, based on a peace plan presented by Trump in early 2020. This plan, which sought to annex around 30% of the West Bank, was halted due to strong international opposition and the lack of U.S. approval at the time.
Under international law, both the West Bank and East Jerusalem are considered “occupied territories,” and all Israeli settlement activity within these areas is deemed illegal. South Africa’s response aligns with global concerns about the continued expansion of settlements, which many argue undermines the prospects for a lasting peace in the region.
