Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has stirred controversy by calling for Israel’s borders to extend across the Middle East, including into Syria’s capital, Damascus, according to statements made in a new documentary titled Israel: Extremists in Power. The documentary, produced by Arte, delves into the views of Israel’s far-right government members, focusing on Smotrich and Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. In his interview, Smotrich cited a vision for a Jewish state stretching across Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia, aligning with ultra-nationalist beliefs grounded in religious scripture.
Smotrich’s comments highlight an expansionist agenda that defies international law, as the UN Charter prohibits acquiring territory through military conquest. With Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu increasingly reliant on Smotrich’s support following the resignation of Defense Minister Benny Gantz, far-right voices have gained significant influence. This development intensifies both Israeli-Palestinian tensions and internal divisions, especially amid escalating violence in Gaza and Lebanon. According to Gaza’s health ministry, Israel’s prolonged airstrikes have claimed over 42,000 lives in Gaza, while attacks in Lebanon have displaced over a million people.
