Israel’s Smotrich calls for Israeli conquest of Middle East 'bit by bit' from Jerusalem to Damascus

Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has advocated for the creation of a Jewish state that would encompass all Palestinian territories and neighbouring Arab territories, including the Syrian capital of Damascus. 

Smotrich, in an interview for the Arte documentary 'Israel: Extremists in Power', said he hopes to expand Israel's borders deep into Arab land, according to Jewish scripture. 

"It is written that the future of Jerusalem is to expand to Damascus," he was quoted as saying. 

This Jewish state, he said, must extend into Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia, highlighting the long-standing vision of many Israeli ultra and religious nationalists for significant territorial expansion across the Middle East.

Annexation and acquiring territory through military conquest are prohibited under international law, as outlined in the United Nations Charter. 

Arte’s latest documentary, 'Israel: Extremists in Power examines the views and potential policies of members of the most right-wing government in Israeli history, focusing on Smotrich and fellow far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, against the backdrop of the war on Gaza.  

It also highlighted how Smotrich and Ben-Gvir have gained considerable political influence, further deepening divisions within Israeli society and exacerbating the plight of Palestinians. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has relied on the support of the far-right figures, particularly following the resignation of former Defence Minister Benny Gantz from the emergency war cabinet. 

Gantz left amid disagreements over strategies in the Gaza war and the how to approach the issue of Israeli captives being held by Hamas. 

Israel’s year-long assault on the devastated Palestinian territory has led to the killing of at least 42,010 people in Gaza, according to Gaza’s health ministry. 

Israel has also intensified air strikes in Lebanon since September 23, uprooting more than a million people and killing over 1,200 Lebanese.