AMMAN — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a strong condemnation of Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich’s incursion into the occupied Palestinian territories, his “hostile and racist” remarks regarding the annexation of the occupied West Bank, his rejection of a Palestinian state, and threats directed at the Palestinian National Authority.

 

In a statement on Wednesday, statement, the ministry described Smotrich’s actions and statements as a “blatant violation” of international law, a dangerous escalation, and a direct challenge to the international consensus supporting the two-state solution.

 

The statement reiterated that Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Palestinian land, the statement said.

 

Far-right minister Smotrich told a press conference on Wednesday that Israel plans to annex 82 per cent of the occupied West Bank to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.

 

“It is time to apply Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria [West Bank] and remove once and for all the idea of dividing our small land,” he said, according to Israeli media.

 

Smotrich said the main principle of the annexation is “the maximum land with minimum Arab population.”

 

“There will never, and can never be, a Palestinian state in our land,” he said. “If the Palestinian Authority dares to rise up and try to harm us, we will destroy them just as we do to Hamas.”

 

Smotrich called the West Bank annexation “a preventative step” against moves by many countries to recognise Palestinian statehood.

 

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Fuad Majali reaffirmed the Kingdom’s “unequivocal rejection and firm condemnation of repeated provocative and hostile actions and rhetoric by extremist members of the Israeli government.”

 

He emphasised that the ongoing absence of international accountability and the prevailing culture of impunity have emboldened such officials to persist in aggressive policies against the Palestinian people and leadership.

 

Majali stressed that Israel’s continued military operations in Gaza and the extremist narrative employed by some of its officials will not undermine the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people or the justice of their cause.

 

He said that the Israeli occupation remains the core issue driving the conflict and regional instability, accusing Israeli extremists of seeking to entrench the occupation, expand illegal settlements, and impose forced displacement, “all in clear violation of international law and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334.

 

The resolution, adopted in 2016, condemns measures aimed at altering the demographic composition and legal status of Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem.

 

Majali also cited the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which reaffirmed the illegality of annexing occupied land and the need to end the occupation.

 

He warned that Israel’s unilateral actions and racist statements risk fuelling further cycles of violence and pose a serious threat to regional security and stability.

 

Reiterating Jordan’s rejection of illegal settlement expansion and displacement policies, Majali stressed that a just and lasting peace can only be achieved through the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state along the 4 June 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

 

The spokesperson concluded by calling on the international community to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities by pressuring Israel to end its aggression in Gaza and the West Bank, cease official incitement, protect the Palestinian people, and ensure accountability for violations of international law.