Bezalel Smotrich is not just the Israeli finance minister. He is a minister within the Ministry of Defence in Israel that is responsible for administering the occupied West Bank – and for expanding settlements.
So when he talks about “enforcing Israeli sovereignty”, he is talking about the annexation of the occupied West Bank, which is part of the Israeli government agenda.
He’s saying Donald Trump’s US presidency offers a golden opportunity for the Israeli government to finish the job. He’s told his staff to take the practical steps, the infrastructure steps, needed to ensure this annexation can happen by 2025 when Trump takes office.
So, when Smotrich talks about annexation, many observers say we have to believe him.