WhatsappMounting pressure from the right is urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to act decisively on the issue of Israeli sovereignty over Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley. Tourism Minister and Likud Central Committee Chairman Haim Katz has called for the immediate and complete application of Israeli sovereignty across these regions.
“The time is ripe to extend full sovereignty (100%) to Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley. The Likud, under Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership, must champion this historic move. Our settlers contribute through taxes, serve in the IDF, and uphold our ancestral right to settle this land,” Katz declared.
This statement follows Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s recent proposal, unveiled yesterday, which advocates for applying Israeli law to approximately 82% of the area. Smotrich’s plan aims to maximize territorial control while minimizing the inclusion of hostile populations, explicitly rejecting the notion of a Palestinian terrorist state. He criticized partial sovereignty limited to the Jordan Valley, arguing it would implicitly legitimize a Palestinian state.
The sovereignty debate coincides with international calls to establish a Palestinian state—a move that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned as a “reward for terrorism” following the October 7th massacre. Within Israel, the national camp is seizing this moment to push for decisive action to cement control over these territories.
Katz’s bold call escalates the internal debate on the right, shifting the focus from whether sovereignty should be applied to how much. While Smotrich’s plan is pragmatic, Katz urges the Likud and Netanyahu to adopt a comprehensive vision of full sovereignty. The decision now rests with Netanyahu, whose leadership will shape Israel’s future as a strong, sovereign Jewish state.
Minister Katz’s statement is significant, as he is a powerful voice within Likud and holds considerable influence over the party. Whether Netanyahu is on board or not at this point may not matter; the train has left the station, and with Ambassador Huckabee in full support and seemingly a Trump administration looking to part ways with Western Europe on a variety of issues, including a “palestinian” state, Netanyahu may not get another opportunity.
Katz vs. Smotrich - Which Plan is Better?
So which plan makes more sense? At the end of the day, Katz’s plan to declare full sovereignty achieves the goal in one move, yet it may appear to be a stretch for Israel to take control of a hostile population. Smotrich’s version may seem more realistic to many, yet at the end of the day, Israel will get accused of creating its version of Bantustans - something the government wants to avoid.
The truth is, it is time to call the “palestinian” bluff on their population numbers in Judea and Samaria. It has been proven that there are far fewer Arabs living there than is reported. In terms of declaring sovereignty, Israel can offer them blue identity cards after the major cities are disarmed. Those who resist will be expelled. 
The most important part of Katz’s comments is his shifting of the Overton Window. If yesterday, Smotrich’s plan seemed far-fetched, Haim Katz has now shifted the discussion, making Smotrich’s plan seem acceptable.
Israeli application of sovereignty may anger many who have become infected by Palestinianism, but to the Arabs themselves who live in Judea and Samaria, the move will only be beneficial. Better roads, healthcare, and connection to a Western economy should enable the Arabs in Judea and Samaria to keep quiet - if not, they will not be allowed to remain.
Gaza For Judea and Samaria
One question that arises is whether or not the Trump administration is favorable to the move, and what has become clear is that Trump is willing to allow Israel to apply sovereignty over the Biblical Heartland in exchange for Israel playing ball with Trump when it comes to Gaza.
The world is against Israel, no matter what the Jewish people do. It is time to go the whole way and apply full sovereignty and close the books on “palestine” once and for all.
