Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has ordered the eviction of a Palestinian village in the occupied West Bank, citing reports that he may be the target of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant. The move targets Khan Al-Ahmar, a Bedouin hamlet that has long faced legal challenges from Israeli authorities.
Smotrich's Response to ICC Reports
Smotrich, who leads a far-right religious party and oversees settlement policy, did not confirm whether he had been formally notified by the ICC. However, he characterized the potential warrant as a "declaration of war." He stated, "From today, any economic or other target that I have the power to harm within the framework of my powers as Minister of Finance and as a minister in the Ministry of Defense will be attacked."
The ICC has previously issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Israel rejects the court's jurisdiction, but the warrants could impede international travel.
Khan Al-Ahmar: A Long-Standing Dispute
The village, home to nearly 200 Palestinians and an EU-funded school, has been in legal battles since 2018 when the Israeli Supreme Court rejected an appeal against its demolition. Israel claims the hamlet was built illegally on state land, but critics argue that obtaining construction permits from Israel is nearly impossible. They view the eviction as a tactic to clear the way for new Jewish settlements, particularly the controversial E1 settlement bloc, which would fragment Palestinian territory.
Smotrich signed a directive calling for immediate evacuation, though it requires approval from Israel's security cabinet. Anti-settlement watchdog Peace Now warned that demolition could occur within weeks, calling it "part of a broader government plan to take control of the entire central West Bank area."
Smotrich was sanctioned by Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway in June 2025 for inciting extremist violence against Palestinians.
