Back
World News

Israel Approves West Bank Settlement Expansion and Land Registration; International Condemnation Follows

Generated on: Last updated: 16 sources
View source

Israel Expands West Bank Settlements and Initiates Land Registration

A series of Israeli government measures—including the approval of 19 new settlements and the first land registration process since 1967—has drawn widespread international condemnation, with critics citing violations of international law and damage to the two-state solution.

New Settlement Approvals and Land Registration

Israel's security cabinet has officially recognized 19 additional settlements in the occupied West Bank, bringing the total number of approvals or recognitions over the last three years to 69, according to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. These approvals include the re-establishment of two settlements—Ganim and Kadim—which were dismantled approximately 20 years ago.

Concurrently, the Israeli government approved a proposal to register significant areas of the occupied West Bank as "state property," marking the first such action since the occupation began in 1967. The proposal, submitted by Finance Minister Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, and Defence Minister Israel Katz, reactivates "settlement of land title" procedures that have been on hold since the 1967 Mideast War.

When Israel begins land registration in a specific area, individuals claiming ownership are required to submit documentation to prove their claim. The Israeli anti-settlement organization Peace Now stated that this process could lead to extensive land acquisition from Palestinians.

"The initiative enables the state to potentially control nearly all of Area C, which constitutes 60% of the West Bank." — Hagit Ofran, Peace Now

Ofran noted that the ownership verification process can be challenging and that land undergoing registration in areas currently owned by Palestinians is likely to transfer to Israeli state control.

New Administrative Powers and Rules

The security cabinet has also approved measures aimed at strengthening Israeli control in the West Bank. These new rules include:

  • Land Purchases: Removing previous restrictions on private Jewish individuals purchasing land in the West Bank by repealing a pre-1967 law from Jordan's control to make land registries public.
  • Building Permits: Transferring authority for building permits in Hebron from the Palestinian Authority (PA) to Israel.
  • Religious Sites: Increasing Israeli control over two significant religious sites: Rachel’s Tomb near Bethlehem and the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron.
  • Supervision: Increasing Israeli supervision and enforcement in areas administered by the PA.

The implementation timeline for these new rules was not specified, but they do not require further approval.

Official Statements from Israeli Officials

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated that the land registry would further "the settlement and governance revolution across all parts of our land." He has previously stated that the changes aim to "deepen our roots in all regions of the Land of Israel and bury the idea of a Palestinian state."

Justice Minister Yariv Levin affirmed Israel's "commitment to strengthening its hold over all parts of our land."

Defence Minister Israel Katz described the land registration initiative as an "essential security and governance measure designed to ensure control, enforcement and full freedom of action for the State of Israel in the area."

Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs characterized the cabinet's decision as an "administrative measure" intended to "bring order" to land registration and to correct a "racist distortion" in Jordanian law. Israel's ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, asserted Israel's continued presence in the region.

International and Regional Responses

The actions have prompted significant international criticism:

  • United Nations: UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed grave concern, stating that settlement expansion and the new rules are "eroding the prospects for the two-state solution" and are "destabilizing."

  • United States: A White House official reiterated former President Donald Trump's opposition to Israel annexing the West Bank, stating that a "stable West Bank keeps Israel secure."

  • United Kingdom: The UK called for Israel to reverse its decision, characterizing any unilateral alteration of the geographic or demographic composition of Palestine as "wholly unacceptable."

  • European Union: The EU called the measures "another step in the wrong direction" and stated that sanctions, including potential suspension of parts of the EU-Israel trade agreement, remain under consideration.

  • Australia: The Australian government stated that the decision would "undermine stability and security" and reiterated that settlements are illegal under international law.

  • Coalition of Western Nations: Australia, the UK, Italy, France, Germany, Canada, Norway, the Netherlands, and New Zealand issued a joint statement criticizing Israeli government policies, describing settler violence as "at unprecedented levels" and condemning the E1 settlement project as a "serious breach of international law."

  • Arab and Islamic States: Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, Qatar, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey issued a joint statement "condemning in the strongest terms the illegal Israeli decisions and measures aimed at imposing unlawful Israeli sovereignty."

  • Coordinated Sanctions: Australia, Canada, France, Norway, and the United Kingdom announced coordinated sanctions against six entities and one individual involved in enabling and financing settler violence in the West Bank.

"A coalition of Western and Arab nations, the United Nations, and the Palestinian Authority have all cited violations of international law and damage to the prospects for a two-state solution."

Palestinian Authority and Group Responses

  • Palestinian Presidency: The office of President Mahmoud Abbas described the decisions as "dangerous," a "grave escalation," a "flagrant violation of international law," and a "de facto annexation of occupied Palestinian territory." It called for immediate intervention from the international community, including the U.S. and the UN Security Council.

  • Hamas: The group condemned the approval of land registration as an attempt "to steal and Judaise lands in the occupied West Bank" and called it "null and void."

  • Peace Now (Israeli watchdog): The organization characterized the government's action as "a massive land grab in the West Bank" that is "contrary to Israel's best interests." It warned that the process could result in the dispossession of Palestinians from their land.

Context and Background

The West Bank has been occupied by Israel since the 1967 war. International law considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal. The UN designates the West Bank and East Jerusalem as occupied territory, which Palestinians aim to form part of a future state. The International Court of Justice has previously found Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territory to be illegal.

According to Peace Now, approximately 700,000 Israeli settlers reside in about 160 settlements across the West Bank and East Jerusalem. An estimated 300,000 Palestinians live in Area C, which constitutes 60% of the West Bank.

The United Nations recorded over 1,800 attacks by Jewish settlers that resulted in casualties or property damage in 2025, marking the highest daily average since such incidents began being recorded in 2006.

"The two-state solution, which envisions the creation of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip with East Jerusalem as its capital, has been a long-standing framework for peace negotiations. Critics say these actions undermine its feasibility."