The Israeli government has approved a controversial plan to designate large areas of the occupied West Bank as “state property” if Palestinians cannot prove legal ownership, prompting sharp criticism from Palestinian authorities and international observers.
The initiative, reported by Israel’s Kan broadcaster on Sunday, was proposed by far-right ministers: Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, and Defence Minister Israel Katz. Smotrich described it as a continuation of the “settlement revolution to control all our lands,” while Levin said it demonstrates the government’s commitment “to strengthening its grip on all its parts.”
The plan revives the long-frozen settlement of land title processes, which have not been active since Israel’s occupation of the West Bank in 1967. Under the policy, Palestinians must submit proof of ownership during land registration, a requirement complicated by decades of occupation, potentially leaving thousands without legal claims to their land.
The Palestinian presidency condemned the decision, describing it as a “grave escalation and a flagrant violation of international law,” amounting to “de facto annexation.” It urged the United States and the United Nations Security Council to intervene immediately.
The approval has drawn regional and international concern, with observers warning that the move could inflame tensions and further destabilize prospects for a two-state solution.
