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
