Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich convened local mayors in Judea and Samaria last night (Wednesday) to review the events of the last few days.
Smotrich spoke about the tangible danger of the creation of a Palestinian state with international involvement and consent of left-wing elements in the political system. "We cannot allow October 7, the worst massacre since the Holocaust, to go down as the founding day of the Palestinian state," he stated.
"A Palestinian state is a serious threat to Israel and we must prevent it with all the tools at our disposal. The time to act against the dangerous idea of establishing a Palestinian state is now. The countries of the world are pushing for it and it is more dangerous than ever," he added.
During the meeting, Smotrich said that, "in recent months, the Prime Minister has prevented the convening of the Central Unit for Construction in Area C and the approval of construction plans in Judea and Samaria. This is contrary to the explicit agreements that existed when the government was established." The minister added that he is pressuring Netanyahu to stop the de facto building freeze.
In addition, Smotrich reviewed the activity of the settlement directorate in the Ministry of Defense in maintaining open areas in Judea and Samaria, promoting enforcement procedures against illegal Arab construction, regulating the settlements, survey procedures that has been accelerated since the directorate was established, and many other steps.