Smotrich Vows to Demolish Highest Number of Palestinian Homes

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has vowed that the occupation state will demolish more Palestinian homes than are built in the West Bank by 2025. If that is fulfilled, it will mark the first time since 1967 that Israel’s demolitions will outpace construction.

Smotrich made the announcement during a speech at a meeting of the Israeli Civil Administration’s Law Enforcement Unit on Sunday. He emphasized that the government would intensify demolition operations, aiming to increase efforts significantly by 2025.

“2025 will be the first year since 1967 in which we will destroy more than what Palestinians build,” Smotrich declared. He highlighted that controlling land is at the core of the Israeli colonial project.

Smotrich confirmed that the Israeli government will continue to block Palestinian construction in areas occupied by Israel. He pointed to the 2025 budget, which includes substantial increases for demolition operations. This will involve more manpower, new equipment, and advanced technology to monitor Palestinian construction according to the Quds News Network.

Since the start of the genocide in Gaza, Israel has escalated settlement activity in the West Bank. This is part of a broader strategy to annex more Palestinian land, despite international opposition.

Israel’s settlement expansion continues amid official statements and consensus among Knesset members rejecting the creation of a Palestinian state, defying international law. The United Nations has repeatedly called for a halt to these illegal settlements.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel has intensified attacks in the West Bank and the eastern part of occupied Jerusalem, resulting in over 900 Palestinian deaths, thousands of injuries, and the displacement of hundreds. Israel’s demolition campaign has destroyed more than 1,300 Palestinian structures in Area C, displacing over 1,100 people, according to UN reports.

By the end of 2024, around 770,000 Israeli settlers lived in the West Bank, spread across 180 settlements and 256 outposts. These settlements are considered illegal under international law.