Israeli minister in favor of settlements formally acquires powers in the West Bank.
A minister in Israel's far-right cabinet has formally acquired responsibilities over Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
(Reuters) - A minister in Israel's far-right cabinet formally acquired responsibilities over Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, saying this includes bringing their legal status closer to that of communities within Israel.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich holds a settler oversight role within the Ministry of Defense as part of his coalition agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, leading to increased US focus on Israeli policies in the West Bank.
A 14-point statement issued by Smotrich after he agreed to a division of duties with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant includes the assertion that "legislation on all civil (settlement) matters will be aligned with Israeli law."
When asked to elaborate on the statement, a spokesperson for Smotrich said: "The equal application of relevant laws—regarding labor, the environment, etc.—that are legislated in smaller Israel."
"Lesser Israel" is a term used by ultranationalists like Smotrich—himself a settler—who seek the annexation of the West Bank, a biblical and strategic area captured during a war in 1967.
"All settlements are illegal, and any attempt by Israel to legalize or annex these settlements is rejected and a violation of international resolutions," said Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Washington has also urged Israel not to expand settlements, which most world powers consider illegal.