Israel's Smotrich calls for West Bank 'sterile zones' free from Palestinians

An Israeli cabinet minister has called for creating "sterile security zones" in the occupied West Bank that are free from Palestinians. 

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who is also the de facto "governor" of the West Bank, said Palestinians should be prevented from entering these zones - which presumably include lands they own - even to harvest olives.

He made the demand in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Galant, Israeli media reported on Monday. 

The far-right minister, himself a settler, called for a discussion in the cabinet regarding "the continued neglect of the security of the settlers in Judea and Samaria," referring to the West Bank. 

"The concept of security must be shaken, emphasising the need to create sterile security zones around the settlements and roads and to prevent Arabs from entering them, including for harvesting," Smotrich said in the letter.

"The writing is on the wall and I am not ready to be a part of it. I will not agree to additional blood under my watch due to insistence on maintaining distorted perceptions."