Palestinians, Arab countries, and Israeli anti-occupation groups have condemned new steps approved by Israel's security cabinet for the occupied West Bank, saying they amount to de facto annexation. Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced the moves that would make it easier for Jewish settlers to take over Palestinian land. 'We will continue to kill the idea of a Palestinian state,' he said. All settlements are seen as illegal under international law.
The measures, which are expected to be signed by Israel's top military commander for the West Bank, aim to increase Israeli control over the territory concerning property law, planning, licensing, and enforcement. They were announced three days ahead of a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump in Washington.
Last year, settlements in the West Bank expanded at their fastest rate since monitoring began, according to the United Nations (UN). The new Israeli measures include cancelling a decades-old prohibition on the direct sale of West Bank land to Jews and declassifying local land registry records. Settlers were previously able to buy homes only from registered companies on land controlled by Israel's government.
Israeli ministers have argued that these changes increase transparency and facilitate land redemption; however, Palestinians expressed fears that such alterations would exert more pressure on individuals to sell their lands, leading to acts of forgery and deceit.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas labeled the measures 'dangerous' and an 'open Israeli attempt to legitimize settlement expansion, land confiscation, and the demolition of Palestinian properties, even in areas under Palestinian sovereignty.' He called for the US and UN Security Council to intervene immediately.
The Israeli NGO Peace Now mentioned that the cabinet's decision risks toppling the Palestinian Authority (PA) and involves cancelling agreements while imposing de facto annexation, accusing the Israeli government of facilitating massive land theft in the West Bank.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of several Arab nations condemned the announcement, warning against the continuation of Israeli expansions that fuel violence in the region. They highlighted the urgent need for international intervention to halt these policies.
With rights to the land remaining central to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, the future of settlements and land ownership continues to remain contentious and alarming for the aspirations of both people.
The measures, which are expected to be signed by Israel's top military commander for the West Bank, aim to increase Israeli control over the territory concerning property law, planning, licensing, and enforcement. They were announced three days ahead of a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump in Washington.
Last year, settlements in the West Bank expanded at their fastest rate since monitoring began, according to the United Nations (UN). The new Israeli measures include cancelling a decades-old prohibition on the direct sale of West Bank land to Jews and declassifying local land registry records. Settlers were previously able to buy homes only from registered companies on land controlled by Israel's government.
Israeli ministers have argued that these changes increase transparency and facilitate land redemption; however, Palestinians expressed fears that such alterations would exert more pressure on individuals to sell their lands, leading to acts of forgery and deceit.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas labeled the measures 'dangerous' and an 'open Israeli attempt to legitimize settlement expansion, land confiscation, and the demolition of Palestinian properties, even in areas under Palestinian sovereignty.' He called for the US and UN Security Council to intervene immediately.
The Israeli NGO Peace Now mentioned that the cabinet's decision risks toppling the Palestinian Authority (PA) and involves cancelling agreements while imposing de facto annexation, accusing the Israeli government of facilitating massive land theft in the West Bank.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of several Arab nations condemned the announcement, warning against the continuation of Israeli expansions that fuel violence in the region. They highlighted the urgent need for international intervention to halt these policies.
With rights to the land remaining central to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, the future of settlements and land ownership continues to remain contentious and alarming for the aspirations of both people.
