Smotrich proposes weekly protest in ‘Sovereignty Square’ to push for Judea and Samaria annexation

Smotrich proposed that supporters gather weekly in what he dubbed “Sovereignty Square,” wear special pins, and display messages across major highways until the government acts.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called on Israelis to launch a movement in favor of applying sovereignty in Judea and Samaria modeled after the weekly hostage demonstrations in Tel Aviv.

In a post published Saturday night, Smotrich urged supporters to adopt the same determination and visibility that characterized the Hostage Families Forum, saying their example proved that persistence could sway both the Israeli government and U.S. policy.

He suggested that public mobilization—through weekly rallies, banners, and slogans—could convince President Donald Trump to back Israel’s bid for sovereignty despite his recent warnings against annexation.

“The families of the hostages and the prime minister who joined them didn’t stop explaining to the president how crucial this issue was for Israelis,” Smotrich wrote. “They succeeded. The president understood, changed his mind and his policy, and the result is known.” He added that a similar strategy could help shape Trump’s thinking on sovereignty, calling him “a true friend of Israel who wants the best for it.”

Smotrich proposed that supporters gather weekly in what he dubbed “Sovereignty Square,” wear special pins, and display messages across major highways until the government acts.

“If the movement for sovereignty keeps showing up every Saturday night for a year,” he wrote, “I have no doubt it will happen, God willing.”

The finance minister, who has long opposed the current ceasefire arrangement, argued that just as the hostages’ campaign achieved its goals, the right could achieve annexation if it remains united and vocal.

He referenced a recent nonbinding Knesset resolution supporting sovereignty by a 71–13 margin and claimed, without citing data, that most Israelis now favor the move.

Addressing concerns that annexation could harm normalization efforts with Arab states, Smotrich said Israel must continue seeking peace “from a position of strength and national dignity” without compromising its historic and religious connection to the land.

“There’s nothing more natural,” he wrote, “than full Israeli sovereignty over our homeland in Judea and Samaria.”