de facto annexation ?

Israel's recent actions in the West Bank have sparked significant international backlash. Announced by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, these measures are seen by many as steps toward de facto annexation, potentially altering the region’s political landscape.

The new policies ease restrictions on land sales to Jewish settlers, removing long-standing prohibitions against direct purchases. This is coupled with the declassification of local land registry records, a move that Israel claims enhances transparency. However, critics, including several international bodies, argue these changes facilitate land appropriation and undermine Palestinian claims.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has described the measures as "dangerous," asserting they are an open attempt to legitimize settlement expansion and land confiscation. He has called on the United States and the UN Security Council to intervene immediately, framing the actions as a direct threat to Palestinian sovereignty.

The global response has been swift and strong. The UK has condemned the move, declaring it inconsistent with international law. Additionally, foreign ministers from countries such as Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia have warned that these actions could escalate regional conflict and represent illegal annexation efforts.

Within Israel, the NGO Peace Now expressed alarm, suggesting that the decision could dismantle the Palestinian Authority and facilitate extensive land appropriation. The organization accuses the Israeli government of breaking barriers and paving the way for significant land theft.

These developments precede Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's meeting with US President Donald Trump. While the Trump administration has previously advised against outright annexation, it has not actively curtailed Israel's rapid settlement expansion.

The situation complicates the peace process, originally outlined in the Oslo Accords. The West Bank, divided into Areas A, B, and C, is witnessing increased settlement activity. Currently, over 700,000 Israeli settlers reside in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Israel's cabinet recently approved plans for new settlements, including the contentious E1 project near Jerusalem, which threatens to geographically sever parts of the West Bank, making a contiguous Palestinian state more challenging.

The UN has reported record numbers of Israeli settler violence and significant Palestinian displacement in recent years. The Israeli government, which includes many pro-settler members, views the West Bank as integral to its history and identity, which further complicates the conflict.

An advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice has stated that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal under international law. Despite this, Netanyahu remains opposed to the establishment of a Palestinian state, citing it as a potential security threat to Israel.

Land sales in the area are fraught, with transactions often involving middlemen. Such sales are considered treasonous by the Palestinian Authority and are technically punishable by death, though usually result in imprisonment.

Smotrich's plan also involves transferring licensing powers for construction in volatile areas like Hebron solely to Israeli authorities, heightening tensions in a region already steeped in religious and political significance. This includes the Cave of the Patriarchs, a site revered in Judaism and Islam.

The plan gives Israeli bodies oversight in environmental and archaeological matters in PA-administered areas and revives a committee to allow Israel to make proactive land purchases in the West Bank, consolidating land reserves for future settlement.

As Netanyahu, facing an election, seeks to appease pro-settler factions within his coalition, these moves may solidify his base but risk international censure. For Palestinians, the measures represent an existential threat to their national aspirations, fueling further unrest and confrontation.

Key Takeaways

• Israel's new West Bank policies are seen as de facto annexation steps.

• Global condemnation includes warnings of increased conflict risk.

• Israeli settlement expansion complicates peace process efforts.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Source 2026-02.09

 

 

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As always, the international community will do nothing.

“De facto annexation”? No, it's absolutely genocide! 😡

I think it’s debatable whether it’s ethnic cleansing.

5 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

I think it’s debatable whether it’s ethnic cleansing.

Nothing would give me greater pleasure than debating this very subject with all the pro Israeli's on here, but only face to face, anytime any place, any takers?

The international community is not living next door to a terrorist state that wants to hack your head of on a whim is it.

If your attacked by by a rabid dog why would yo want to pat it on the head 🤔

A hundred years ago Israel didn't exist. Palestine was an administrative region from Roman times, through the Byzantine period and later the Ottoman empire. , Prior to the Romans a large percentage of the population of the area were Jews, but they were just one of many ethnic groups. Partially due to Roman expulsions after the Jewish revolts few Jews lived in Palestine thereafter. By 1800 only 3% of the population were Jewish, the rest Muslim and Christian Arabs.

By 1914 the Zionist nationalist movement who wanted a Jewish homeland saw the Jewish population grow to about 14%. After WW1, the Balfour declaration and the start of the British mandate, Jewish migration continued to slowly grow. However conflicts over land grew, as wealthy Jewish migrants bought up Land, causing Arab revolts. to stop this, The British capped Jewish migration. WW2 and Hitler resulted in a massive inflow of migrants, so by 1947 Jews made up 30% of the population. Irreconcilable conflicts between Jews and Arabs resulted in The British terminating their mandate and the future of Palestine was referred to the newly formed UN. However they decided to partition Palestine giving 50% of the land (including the most fertile) to the minority Jewish population. This totally unfair division led to war as soon as the Jewish state of Israel was created.

Since then, continued Jewish migration has led to the gradual expulsion of Arabs from the parts of Palestine that Israel controlled. Over the last 75 years, the rights of Arabs have been restricted, Arab economic growth strangled, and laws became more oppressive. This has led to near constant state of war between Jews and Arabs, which has spilled over into Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. Israel is now de facto trying to annexe the West bank, which has already seen 50% of its land seized by Israeli settlers. Wherever settlers establish themselves, Arabs are forced out.

Israel is a cancer, and if you feed it, it grows. We all know what you have to do to a cancer to survive.

7 hours ago, Jeff the Chef said:

Nothing would give me greater pleasure than debating this very subject with all the pro Israeli's on here, but only face to face, anytime any place, any takers?

Yes, I am up for it .

Chiang Rai , March 5 th .

You up for it ?

8 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Yes, I am up for it .

Chiang Rai , March 5 th .

You up for it ?

I will join too, location & time please Nick?

I will bring one of my Israeli friends too if he's free.

Nazis stole all possessions of German and Polish Jews. Now Israelis are doing the same in the West Bank. I wonder why they don't want to 'settle' in Gaza?

10 hours ago, JBChiangRai said:

I will join too, location & time please Nick?

I will bring one of my Israeli friends too if he's free.

Waiting for @Jeff the Chef to confirm his attendance

4 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Waiting for @Jeff the Chef to confirm his attendance

Chiang Rai, Thursday, March 5th, in my diary.

16 hours ago, JBChiangRai said:

I will join too, location & time please Nick?

I will bring one of my Israeli friends too if he's free.

Is you Israeli friend aware that Jeff the chef fully supports Hamas and everything they have done ? Including the atrocities on Oct 7 th ?

7 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Is you Israeli friend aware that Jeff the chef fully supports Hamas and everything they have done ? Including the atrocities on Oct 7 th ?

My Israeli friend is more aligned with your position Nick.

We're all adults and a debate is just that, my views might differ from all of my Israeli friends, but it didn't stop me celebrating Hannukah with them a few weeks back. None of us are extremists.

@Nick Carter icp @Jeff the Chef Can I suggest Chyn Cafe, just off Sanambin Road, the coffee is good and they have a meeting room we can use.

Does that suit you guys?

3 hours ago, JBChiangRai said:

@Nick Carter icp @Jeff the Chef Can I suggest Chyn Cafe, just off Sanambin Road, the coffee is good and they have a meeting room we can use.

Does that suit you guys?

Sounds good to me.

@Nick Carter icp Are these arrangements ok with you?

You chose 5th March, you can suggest a different location if you prefer.

5 hours ago, Jeff the Chef said:

Sounds good to me.

Are you 100 % definitely going to be there ?

1 hour ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Are you 100 % definitely going to be there ?

Yes, are you?

1 hour ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Are you 100 % definitely going to be there ?

I can confirm Jeff asked for hotel recommendations, he will be there, as will I and hopefully my Israeli friend.

1 hour ago, JBChiangRai said:

I can confirm Jeff asked for hotel recommendations, he will be there, as will I and hopefully my Israeli friend.

Pencil the date in because I am on the other side of the World at the moment will book flight tickets once I ve sorted a few things out here .

But I recommend this hotel

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g297920-d447583-Reviews-Inn_Come_Hotel-Chiang_Rai_Chiang_Rai_Province.html

I think that hotel might be noisy, it’s near all the nightclubs. Perfect for a party animal.

I live about 3km from there.

6 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

I think that hotel might be noisy, it’s near all the nightclubs. Perfect for a party animal.

I live about 3km from there.

Cannot hear the music from the hotel rooms , especially from the rooms on the other side towards the main road .

On 2/9/2026 at 5:24 PM, stevenl said:

As always, the international community will do nothing.

They are all compromised by Jeff Epstein and others Israel's agents thru blackmail.

9 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Cannot hear the music from the hotel rooms , especially from the rooms on the other side towards the main road .

Jeff is staying in a quieter area and a better hotel too.

5 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

Jeff is staying in a quieter area and a better hotel too.

What hotel is he staying at ?

I'm not sure he would want me to give out the name, but it's one of the ones on the old airport road

4 hours ago, JBChiangRai said:

I'm not sure he would want me to give out the name, but it's one of the ones on the old airport road

There's no such road in Chiang Rai

Theres no such road as the "old airport road"

5 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

There's no such road in Chiang Rai

Theres no such road as the "old airport road"

Locals call it the old airport road, its proper name is Sanambin Road.

Sanambin is the Thai word for airport. There are lots of hotels on that road, it's nice and quiet with little traffic.

28 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

Locals call it the old airport road, its proper name is Sanambin Road.

Sanambin is the Thai word for airport. There are lots of hotels on that road, it's nice and quiet with little traffic.

OK, could you let @Jeff the Chef speak for himself in the future .

He seems to be disappearing into the shadows .

Jeff, have you got your transport and hotel booked ?