Israel’s cabinet has approved a major policy shift that allows formal land registration in the occupied West Bank for the first time since 1967, a move Palestinians say amounts to de-facto annexation. The decision is expected to make it easier for Israeli settlers to purchase land and further expand Israel’s administrative control over disputed territory.
The West Bank is a core part of the land Palestinians seek for a future independent state, but much of it remains under Israeli military control with limited Palestinian self-rule. As a result, the new policy has intensified fears that the possibility of a two-state solution is being steadily eroded through administrative and legal measures.
Read more : Israeli cabinet approves West Bank land registration
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing elections later this year, has repeatedly described the idea of a Palestinian state as a security risk for Israel. His coalition includes strong pro-settlement parties that openly support annexing large parts of the West Bank, citing historical and religious claims.
Meanwhile, far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called the decision a major step in strengthening Israel’s hold over the land. Defence Minister Israel Katz said the move was necessary for security and accused the Palestinian Authority of conducting illegal land registrations.
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On the other hand, Palestinian leaders strongly condemned the policy, warning it could lead to widespread dispossession and permanent occupation. Palestinian officials said the measure formalises Israeli control and marks the beginning of a broader annexation strategy through settlement expansion.
International reactions remain cautious, although watchdog groups have warned that the decision could affect nearly half of the West Bank. The United Nations’ top court previously ruled that Israeli settlements are illegal under international law, but Israel continues to reject this view and push forward with new measures.