Israeli Finance Minister and Minister in the Defense Ministry Bezalel Smotrich delivered a wide-ranging and forceful speech overnight at the central Yom Yerushalayim celebration held at Yeshivas Mercaz HaRav, where he urged Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu to adopt his plan to erase the territorial divisions between Areas A, B, and C in Yehudah and Shomron.

Addressing the large gathering, Smotrich outlined what he described as the government’s achievements in settlement development, security, and the economy, while calling for the practical application of Israeli sovereignty throughout Yehudah and Shomron.

At the opening of his remarks, Smotrich spoke about the holiness of Yerushalayim through the teachings of Rav Tzvi Yehuda Kook zt”l, explaining that the sanctity of the city stems from the broader holiness of Eretz Yisroel.

He then turned to what he described as an unprecedented wave of settlement expansion since the current government entered office.

“We are leading a revolution for the honor of the Land of Israel. We legalized all of the young settlements and approved more than one hundred new communities in Yehudah and Shomron.”

Smotrich also pointed proudly to what he called the correction of the historic injustice of the Disengagement Law, which allowed Jews to return to the northern Shomron communities of Chomesh, Sa-Nur, Ganim, and Kadim. He noted that over the past three years, the government approved no fewer than 60,000 housing units throughout Yehudah and Shomron.

“The Jewish people are returning home, and this time permanently,” the minister declared, before issuing a public appeal to Netanyahu. “The time has come to permanently erase the lines separating Areas B, A and C. This week I placed a detailed plan on the cabinet table, and I call from here on the Prime Minister to adopt it. The entire Land of Israel belongs to us.”

Smotrich also addressed the military conflict that has continued for roughly two and a half years, describing it as a painful and difficult war that has nonetheless produced major victories on multiple fronts.

“We are in the midst of a difficult and lengthy war that has exacted heavy prices from us, but has also produced major achievements on every front of the fighting,” Smotrich said.

He proceeded to list what he described as dramatic eliminations of senior terror leaders across the region, including Yahya Sinwar, Ismail Haniyeh, Ali Khamenei, Mohammed Deif, and Hassan Nasrallah.

The minister additionally highlighted legislation passed this week in the Knesset dealing with prosecution of Nukhba terrorists involved in the October 7 massacre. The law was advanced by Constitution Committee chairman MK Simcha Rothman.

“The law will ensure that they too will soon reach hell,” the minister said.

Despite emphasizing Israel’s accomplishments, Smotrich stressed that significant work still remains.

“There is still work left for us on every front,” Smotrich said, while adding with satisfaction that “today, the State of Israel is stronger than ever before, and its enemies are weaker than ever before.”

Despite the ongoing multi-front war taking place across seven separate arenas, the finance minister expressed strong optimism regarding Israel’s economy, attributing its success to the fulfillment of biblical prophecy.

“We are privileged to witness the fulfillment of the prophecies. From a country of refugees with rationing and shortages, we have become an economic powerhouse,” the minister said.

He cited several positive economic indicators, including the strengthening of the shekel, record-breaking stock market performance, and continued foreign investment pouring into Israel. Smotrich concluded by quoting the words of the prophet Yechezkel:

“And you, mountains of Israel, shall give forth your branches and bear your fruit for My people Israel, for they are soon to come.”