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Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said on Tuesday that the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) is seeking an arrest warrant against him, in what he called "a declaration of war."
During a speech from his office in Jerusalem, the far-right politician did not officially clarify the possible reasons for the request, but hinted that it is related to the massive expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, a policy he has strongly supported.
In April, Israel secretly approved more than 30 new settler settlements and farms, as part of a broader strategy to strengthen Israeli control over Palestinian territory and prevent the creation of a Palestinian state.
In a statement to CNN, the ICC said it could not comment on arrest warrant requests because such proceedings are confidential until the judges decide. Under court procedure, the prosecutor first submits the request for an arrest warrant and then judges decide whether to approve it.
In his statement, Smotrich described the settlement expansion as a “revolution” in what he called Judea and Samaria, the biblical term used by Israeli nationalists for the West Bank.
He said that during the current government's term, more than 100 new settlements have been approved and reiterated that his objective is to eliminate any possibility of creating a Palestinian state.
"We are planning, building, paving roads, and making the settlement project irreversible," he declared.
Smotrich also warned that Israel would “immediately” evacuate the Bedouin community of Khan al-Ahmar, east of Jerusalem, in response to the ICC prosecutor’s move. The area has been targeted by right-wing Israeli forces for years.
Without providing evidence, the Israeli minister accused the Palestinian Authority of being behind the ICC's actions. CNN reported that it has also sought comment from the Palestinian side.
Smotrich's statements come at a time of high international tensions over the war in Gaza, Israeli settlement expansion and growing pressure on Israel in international justice institutions.
Keto jane GJAKPIRESIT-PUSHTUESIT NAZIST IZRAELIT. BOTA FLENE NE DAFINA. Gjenocidi dhe zaptimi i tokave mijravjecare te Palestinezeve nuk shqetson asnje,pervec Gjykates te Hages.