Smotrich declares Oslo Accords ‘null and void’, claims occupied West Bank Areas A and B

Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has declared the Oslo Accords “null and void” and claimed that Areas A and B of the occupied West Bank belong to Israel, whilst demanding the complete dismantling of the Palestinian Authority.

Speaking at a conference, Smotrich, who also heads the far-right Religious Zionism party, acknowledged that his stance puts him at odds with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“In any case, Oslo is null and void. In any case, Areas A and B are also ours,” he said.

“That is a dispute with the prime minister.”

Smotrich stated that Netanyahu had, to his knowledge, ordered the evacuation of outposts established in Areas A and B, an order he strongly opposed: “Netanyahu, to the best of my knowledge, gave an instruction to evacuate places established in Areas A and B. I don’t like that instruction.”

The minister urged the immediate dismantling of the Palestinian Authority, labelling it a “terrorist entity” and accusing it of financing attacks, inciting hostility, and encouraging violence against Israel.