Paris: France has issued a strong condemnation of Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's recent call for the annexation of the occupied West Bank. The French Foreign Ministry released a statement expressing its disapproval of Smotrich's remarks, which it asserts are contrary to international law and efforts to de-escalate regional tensions. According to Anadolu Agency, the comments from Smotrich came after he instructed Israel's Settlement Division and Civil Administration to begin preparing infrastructure to assert Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank. France reiterated its support for a two-state solution, emphasizing that such an approach is the only path to a just and lasting resolution for both Israelis and Palestinians. The controversy surrounding Smotrich's proposal is not new. Earlier this year, he confirmed reports of a secret plan to annex the West Bank, a move that would prevent its incorporation into a future Palestinian state. This plan has faced significant international opposition, par ticularly following a landmark opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in July, which deemed Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories as illegal. The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has also been linked to annexation efforts. In 2020, Netanyahu intended to annex parts of the West Bank and the Jordan Valley as part of a Middle East peace plan proposed by then-US President Donald Trump. However, these plans were shelved due to international pressure and lack of support from the United States. In response to these developments, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot criticized the policy of continued settlement activity in the West Bank, labeling it as illegal under international law. The minister's statements underscore France's ongoing opposition to what it considers aggressive colonization of Palestinian territories. Meanwhile, Bezalel Smotrich canceled a planned visit to Paris for a gala hosted by the Israel Forever Foundation, despite a French court's decision to allow the event to proceed amidst opposition from human rights groups and lawmakers.