The Israeli education minister Naftali Bennet has called on his government to prepare to expand Israeli territory into the West Bank and annex the areas of Judea and Samaria.
In September, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas spoke to the UN general assembly where he confirmed he would be pursuing a Security Council resolution that would declare Israeli settlements "illegal" in the West Bank.
Naftali Bennett: It's Time To Apply Israëli Law and Sovereignty In Judea and Samaria https://t.co/kEny1TT6lI
— Henoch (@ChristenZionism) October 31, 2016
Speaking at the National Union conference in Jeruselum he said: "There is discussion that in the coming months the UN Security Council will force a resolution on Israel. If that happens, we need to have an appropriate Zionist response, immediate sovereignty over Judea and Samaria, including Maaleh Adumim, Gush Etzion, Ariel, Ofra, and Beit El."
He continued by saying “the resolution should be a trigger to put this plan into action. Gentlemen, it is time to extend our sovereignty in the land of Israel.”
“Why do I say this? The entire story of settling and Zionism is a story of a great vision and the determination to see that vision through."
“Each time there was a clear vision and the determination to carry out that vision. The next step is the responsibility of us all...after 50 years, it is time for sovereignty,” he added.
Amb: In the years of the #UNSC silence, #Israeli settlement activities have quadrupled, coupled with intensification of all other violations
— State of Palestine (@Palestine_UN) October 19, 2016