Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich hints at 'Greater Israel' project

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Arte
13 Oct 2024 17:35

In a provocative statement, Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich referred to religious texts claiming that the future of occupied Al-Quds involves expansion "to Damascus."

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Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks at the Knesset, "Israel's" parliament, in occupied Al-Quds, on July 10, 2023. (AP)

"Israel's" Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has sparked controversy with remarks suggesting his vision for an expanded "Jewish state" that could extend beyond Palestinian territories and into neighboring countries, including Syria.

The comments were made during an interview for a French-language documentary, "Israel: Extremists in Power", aired by Arte.

Smotrich expressed his desire for a "Jewish state" governed by "the values of the Jewish people," and when asked whether "Israel" aims to extend its current sovereignty—which stretches from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River—he responded with a smile, saying, "okay, bit by bit."

In a provocative statement, Smotrich also referred to religious texts, claiming that the future of occupied Al-Quds involves expansion "as far as Damascus."

This aligns with a broader vision supported by Israelis who advocate for "Israel's" territorial expansion into neighboring Arab states, including Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia, as outlined in the documentary.

En un documental producido por Arte, el Ministro de Finanzas israelí, Bezalel Smotrich, expresó su deseo de un "Estado judío" que incluya a Jordania, Arabia Saudita, Egipto, Irak, Siria y el Líbano, afirmando que "está escrito que el futuro de Jerusalén es expandirse a Damasco." pic.twitter.com/DK7R2DHQ2D
— aapayés (@aapayes) October 10, 2024

Extremist groups advocating for occupation of Lebanon

The documentary comes at a time when tensions in the region are particularly high, with "Israel" intensifying its aggression on Lebanon.

Though the Israeli regime says it is focused on combating movements of indigenous Resistance, including Hezbollah, it has not formally endorsed any plans to occupy Lebanese territory or settle Zionist immigrants there.

Nevertheless, the views expressed by figures like Smotrich, who hold prominent positions within the Israeli leadership, have further exposed Israeli ambitions to expand the occupation through military conquest.

These statements, along with growing support from extremist settler groups advocating for a continued Israeli presence in Lebanon, further reinforce concerns about a broader territorial expansion plan.

The Israeli regime, for its part, has not confirmed any formal intentions to expand "Israel's" borders, but Smotrich's comments have confirmed growing concerns about the ambitions of the Israeli regime to pursue the project of a "Greater Israel."