Bezalel Smotrich

Smotritch suggested the dismantling of the PA in favor of creating a new military administration to govern the area, with the ultimate aim of applying full Israeli sovereignty over the region.

Critics have warned of the bill's democratic implications, including those involving women's rights, which may deepen the rift between the haredi and secular communities.

Murder rates continue to rise, not just since the October 7 massacre, and Israel cannot afford to be lenient if it wishes to survive.

Beliak (Yesh Atid) slammed Smotrich, saying, "You are so racist and disgusting. You should be ashamed. You are responsible, you are a minister in the government, you are responsible."

The absence of such a law places "every Israeli citizen, at home and abroad, under a real threat of abduction," argued Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

"The decision could lead to the dispossession of Palestinians of their property and risks expanding unlawful Israeli control over land in the area," Guterres wrote in a statement on X.

The statement, made during a Religious Zionist Party Knesset press conference, comes as the government fast-tracks a haredi conscription bill.

Israel will build a new international airport in southern Israel at Ziklag, alongside a northern airport, as officials warn Ben Gurion is nearing capacity.

Most of the world has slammed the West Bank changes, but the PM has faced little public pushback from Trump himself.

The aliyah minister asserted in December that he would vote against the proposed haredi draft law even at the risk of being dismissed from the government, calling the current outline "shameful.