Israel to Enforce De Facto Annexation in Occupied West Bank Territory

Israel Approves Plans to Expand Power Across Occupied West Bank

The Israeli government has ratified a series of decisions aimed at expanding its authority across the occupied West Bank. The moves, which were pushed by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defence Minister Israel Katz, are expected to make it easier for Israel to seize Palestinian land.

According to officials, the new measures will remove “legal obstacles” that have existed for decades against the expansion of settlements in the occupied territories. The Palestinian presidency has condemned the decision, calling it “dangerous” and an attempt to legalize settlement expansion and land confiscation.

The Israeli cabinet approved the cancellation of a Jordanian law that prohibited the sale of land in the West Bank to non-Arabs, as well as lifting secrecy on land registry records dating back to the Ottoman period. Experts say this move will create an “open market” for settlers, allowing them to target specific individuals for pressure or extortion.

The new directives also authorize Israeli forces to conduct enforcement and demolitions in Area A and B zones, which are supposed to be under Palestinian civil and security control. The decision has been welcomed by the Yesha Council, a gathering of illegal settlements, who see it as a significant step towards declaring that “the land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people”.

The move is expected to fundamentally alter the civil and legal reality of the territory, stripping the Palestinian Authority of its remaining powers. Eight Muslim-majority countries have denounced Israel for trying to impose “unlawful Israeli sovereignty” in the occupied West Bank.

Palestinian officials and experts warn that this package effectively terminates the 1993 Oslo Accords, which established a framework for peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. The decision has been met with widespread condemnation from Palestinian leaders and international organizations.

Source: Al Jazeera