Against the backdrop of international initiatives for unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, the Israeli government has begun advancing a move to apply sovereignty in Judea and Samaria. In closed discussions, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer has proposed to apply Israeli law to broad areas beyond the Green Line.
The proposal is seen as a response to policies led by countries like France, as reported by Israel Hayom, and is supported by a firm stance from Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who clarified to his European counterparts: “Unilateral moves against Israel will be met with unilateral steps from Israel.”
“Israeli Sovereignty or October 7”
Alongside the political initiatives, the Yesha Council is conducting a broad public campaign under the message “Either Israeli sovereignty or October 7.” A video published by the Council presents a scenario of terrorists infiltrating from Judea and Samaria into central Israel. “Pickup trucks near Azrieli” has become a central reference in the call to prevent the threat through the application of sovereignty.
Coordinated Move with Trump and European Capitals
Last week, Yesha Council Chairman Israel Gantz led a series of diplomatic meetings with senior officials in the Trump administration — at the White House, the State Department, and the Pentagon — where he presented the proposed plan: applying Israeli law to 65% of Judea and Samaria, while establishing 20 independent Palestinian sub-entities that do not constitute a sovereign national entity.
Gantz explained that while Gaza raised 6,000 terrorists who raided Israel, the Palestinian Authority holds 40,000 armed personnel, and the Green Line is porous along 350 kilometers.
Public Diplomacy — and a Warning
The public campaign is accompanied by billboards, productions, and wide-scale publications, intended to generate public and political pressure. Simultaneously, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Foreign Ministry are considering responses to the international conference initiative led by Macron and the Saudi Crown Prince, planned for June in New York.
The United States has made clear it will not participate in the conference, while key European countries — including Germany — have rejected the initiative led by France. Conversely, Spain and Malta are expected to support the move.
