Israel's Smotrich tells authorities to prepare for West Bank annexation

Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has told his department to prepare for the annexation of the occupied West Bank in the wake of Donald Trump victory in the US elections.

Speaking at a meeting of his far-right Religious Zionism party, Smotrich said that Trump's victory provided an "important opportunity" and that "the time has come to apply sovereignty" over the West Bank.

According to a statement from his office, Smotrich said he had instructed Israeli authorities overseeing West Bank settlements "to begin professional and comprehensive staff work to prepare the necessary infrastructure" for extending sovereignty.