In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amman described the Israeli official’s statements as “hostile and racist,” and stated that Tel Aviv plans to annex 82 percent of the West Bank to prevent the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territory, the official statement emphasized, also warning of the danger of a further escalation as a result of such provocations.

The Jordanian diplomatic ministry reiterated its rejection of any attempt to change the legal and demographic status of the territories occupied since 1967, in clear violation of international law.

During a press conference, Smotrich asserted that “there will never be, nor can there ever be, a Palestinian state,” and threatened to destroy the Palestinian National Authority if it “dares to rise up.”

The far-right leader considered the annexation a “preemptive measure” in the face of growing international recognition of Palestine as a sovereign state.

Jordanian Foreign Ministry spokesman Fuad Majali had denounced the Israeli minister’s extremist rhetoric and lamented the impunity with which members of the far-right government operate in Israel.

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