Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, has taken a significant step toward asserting Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank, marking what many see as an attempt at annexation. This move is widely regarded as a violation of international law and could severely undermine efforts to achieve a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The bill passed a preliminary vote on Tuesday with a narrow margin of 25 to 24 in the 120-member chamber. The vote was the first of four required to enact the legislation into law. The Knesset statement noted that the bill aims to apply Israeli sovereignty to the territories known as Judea and Samaria, which correspond to the West Bank. It will now be reviewed by the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee.
The decision came amid heightened tensions, just one month after former U.S. President Donald Trump had expressed opposition to any annexation of the occupied West Bank. The vote occurred during a visit by U.S. Vice President JD Vance to Israel, aimed at reinforcing the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s public opposition, several members of his coalition, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, supported the bill. Smotrich described the move as a necessary step toward “full sovereignty” over the West Bank, using biblical references to emphasize its historical significance.
The bill was introduced by Avi Maoz, leader of the far-right Noam Party, which is not part of the governing coalition. Notably, one Likud member, Yuli Edelstein, defied party leadership and cast the decisive vote in favor of the bill, declaring that “Israeli sovereignty throughout our homeland is the order of the day.”
A second bill proposing the annexation of the Maale Adumim settlement also passed. In August, Israel approved a major settlement expansion between Maale Adumim and Jerusalem, raising concerns among the international community about the viability of a future Palestinian state.
The Knesset’s actions have drawn immediate condemnation from multiple regional and international actors. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry called the votes a rejection of “Knesset’s attempts to annex Palestinian land,” while Hamas described the measures as a reflection of “the ugly face of the colonial occupation.” Qatar condemned the move in the “strongest terms,” calling it a violation of Palestinian rights and international law. Saudi Arabia and Jordan also issued statements condemning the action, labeling it a breach of international norms and a threat to the two-state solution.
More than 700,000 Israelis reside in settlements located on occupied Palestinian land in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. All such settlements are considered illegal under international law. In 2024, the International Court of Justice ruled that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories, including the West Bank, is unlawful and must end as soon as possible.
Analysts suggest that the Knesset’s vote may be more symbolic than substantive. Political commentator Ori Goldberg described the move as a “performative” gesture aimed at countering pressure from the U.S. and other Western allies over the Gaza ceasefire. He noted that while the bill resembles annexation, it may serve more as a political statement than a practical policy shift.
The United Arab Emirates, which established diplomatic ties with Israel through the Abraham Accords, has warned that annexation of the West Bank would cross a “red line.” This development underscores the growing international concern over the implications of the Knesset’s actions for regional stability and the prospects of a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
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