Ben-Gvir claims entire West Bank 'belongs to Israel', threatens to dismantle Palestinian Authority

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has said that all of the occupied West Bank “belongs to Israel”, rejecting the administrative divisions set out in the 1995 Oslo II Accord, and threatened to dismantle the Palestinian Authority if he becomes defence minister.

“There is no difference between Areas A, B and C. The entire land is ours. This is our country,” Ben-Gvir told Israel’s right-wing Channel 14 on Thursday, according to Anadolu Agency. Under Oslo II, the West Bank is split into Area A under full Palestinian control, Area B under Palestinian civilian and Israeli security control, and Area C — roughly 60% of the territory — under full Israeli control.

Ben-Gvir said that if he assumed the defence portfolio, he would dismantle the Palestinian Authority and push Palestinians to emigrate from both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. He claimed, without citing evidence, that 60% of Palestinians want to “emigrate” — a claim disputed by surveys and rights groups. “I will dedicate time to this, and I will manage the process continuously,” he said, adding that he would hold weekly discussions with all relevant officials.

Asked how Israel could supply the manpower for operations in the West Bank and Gaza, Ben-Gvir said: “It is very simple: The more you allow soldiers to shoot and use force, the less manpower you need,” arguing that police rules of engagement were already more permissive than the army’s.

He also accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of not wanting Palestinian displacement “enough”, even as Netanyahu has floated related ideas publicly. The remarks come amid campaigning for Israel’s Knesset election on 27 October, with opinion polls pointing to declining support for the governing coalition.

Sources

• Anadolu Agency (via anews.com.tr) — “Israeli minister says entire West Bank ‘belongs to Israel,’ threatens to dismantle Palestinian Authority” (opened, verified; published Oct 3, 02:22)
• The Insight International — “Israeli minister says entire West Bank belongs to Israel, threatens to dismantle PA” (opened, verified; quotes cross-checked)

Fact-check (verified vs opened/named sources)

1. Ben-Gvir is Israel’s National Security Minister; remarks made to Channel 14 on Thursday — Anadolu (opened) — PASS
2. “There is no difference between Areas A, B and C. The entire land is ours. This is our country.” — Anadolu (opened) — PASS
3. Oslo II (1995) split: A full PA control, B shared Palestinian-civilian/Israeli-security, C ~60% full Israeli control — Anadolu (opened) — PASS
4. Would dismantle Palestinian Authority if he becomes defence minister — Anadolu (opened) — PASS
5. Would push Palestinian displacement/emigration from West Bank and Gaza — Anadolu (opened) — PASS
6. Claimed 60% of Palestinians want to “emigrate”, “despite reports to the contrary” — Anadolu (opened) — PASS
7. “I will dedicate time to this… Every week, I will hold a discussion involving all relevant parties” — Anadolu (opened) — PASS
8. “It is very simple: The more you allow soldiers to shoot and use force, the less manpower you need” — Anadolu (opened) — PASS
9. Police rules of engagement “much more lenient than those of the army” — Anadolu (opened) — PASS
10. Accused Netanyahu of not wanting displacement “enough”; Oct 27 Knesset election context, polls showing declining coalition support — Anadolu (opened) — PASS