Smotrich's comments drew international condemnation, with the UN human rights chief Volker Turk denouncing them as "an unfathomable statement of incitement to violence and hostility".
Blinken sees a "shrinking horizon of hope" for Palestinians as he meets Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah following a meeting with new Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.
Israeli warplanes target Gaza following a deadly week of escalated violence in the occupied West Bank, where 10 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces.
The United Nations says more than 125 Palestinians have been killed across the occupied West Bank this year.
Tensions escalate after Udai Tamimi, 22, was killed by Israeli forces late on Wednesday near a settlement in occupied East Jerusalem.
Palestinians have staged a protest against the now 15-year Israeli blockade on Gaza that crippled the territory's economy and living conditions.
Over 560 settlers stormed the site after Israeli police forced Muslim worshippers to evacuate the mosque’s courtyard, witnesses say.
Despite the gradual dwindling interest of international audiences, Israeli occupation forces have not rested in their ongoing displacement of Palestinians.
Before the demolition, Israeli soldiers stormed the home of Salhiya family and arrested over a dozen people, including family members.
Palestine Action group’s dogged campaign against Elbit, which sells drones to Israel, bears fruit as the firm sells Ferranti, one of its factories in the UK.
Video on social media appears to show the last few seconds of the incident, in which one of the officers continues to shoot at the 25-year-old when he is already lying on the ground.
Israel turned down Washington's request to reopen its consulate for Palestinians in Jerusalem to avoid bringing any legitimacy to the question of Palestinian statehood, experts say.
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