The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates denounced on Tuesday the visit by Defense Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, known for his ultra-right and anti-Arab stances.

The text criticized “the racist colonial statements that Katz and Smotrich made during the raid regarding the weakening of the institutions of the State of Palestine.”

The document questioned that both ministers also advocated for deepening, protecting, and promoting the Israeli settlements on Palestinian land.

The Ministry estimated that the visit will be used by the settlers to “intensify airstrikes on our people, their lands, and properties.”

During the tour, Smotrich stressed that the large demolition of Palestinian homes in the West Bank took place in 2024, and emphasized that the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu placed the settlements at the top of its priorities.

Katz, in turn, announced that he will not allow the internationally recognized Palestinian National Authority (PNA) to expand urban areas in strategic zones of the West Bank.

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