Jordan condemns Smotrich’s West Bank incursion, remarks

The Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates has strongly condemned the recent visit of 'Israeli' Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to the occupied Palestinian territories, describing it as a provocative act accompanied by hostile and racist statements regarding the annexation of the West Bank, the prevention of a Palestinian state, and threats against the Palestinian Authority.

The ministry called these actions a blatant violation of international law and a serious escalation that undermines the international support for a two-state solution, emphasizing that 'Israel' holds no sovereignty over occupied Palestinian land.

Spokesperson Fouad Majali stressed Jordan’s absolute rejection of the incursions and inflammatory rhetoric from extremists in the 'Israeli' government, warning that the lack of international accountability only encourages further aggression toward the Palestinian people and their leadership.

Majali noted that Smotrich’s statements, along with 'Israel’s' continued military operations in Gaza, do not diminish Palestinian rights or the legitimacy of their cause. He said the 'Israeli' government’s extremist policies aim to entrench occupation, expand illegal settlements, and impose forced displacement, in clear violation of international law and UN Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 2334, which condemns all 'Israeli' measures seeking to alter the demographic and political status of the occupied territories, including East Jerusalem. Majali also referenced the International Court of Justice advisory opinion, which reaffirmed the illegality of annexing occupied Palestinian land.

The Jordanian official warned that ongoing unilateral measures and expansionist policies in the West Bank, coupled with racist and inflammatory statements by 'Israeli' officials, exacerbate cycles of violence and threaten regional stability.

Majali reiterated that ending the occupation and establishing a sovereign Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, is the only path to lasting peace and security in the region.

He called on the international community to act, holding 'Israel' accountable for its actions, halting aggression in Gaza, preventing escalation in the West Bank, protecting Palestinian civilians, and ensuring their right to self-determination while bringing perpetrators of crimes to justice.