Israel will begin contentious West Bank land registration in new step to deepen control

The Israeli government has approved a new policy to register land in the occupied West Bank as "state property," a decision submitted by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, and Defence Minister Israel Katz. This policy marks a significant shift in governance, as it aims to formalize Israeli control over extensive areas of Palestinian land that have remained unregistered since Israel's occupation began in 1967. The newly approved regulations will remove longstanding restrictions that previously barred Jewish citizens from purchasing land in the West Bank, facilitating easier land acquisition for Israeli settlers and potentially compelling Palestinians to relinquish their land (Times of Israel, Al Jazeera, Middle East Eye). The Palestinian Authority has condemned these measures as a "de facto annexation of occupied Palestinian territory," describing them as a dangerous escalation that seeks to legalize settlement expansion and weaken the already limited powers of the Palestinian Authority. Critics argue that these changes essentially legalize settlement activities that have been deemed illegal under international law, exacerbating tensions between Israeli settlers and Palestinians (Middle East Eye, Al Jazeera). International reactions have included condemnation from several Arab nations, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, which have labeled the Israeli decision as illegal under international law. The implications of these measures are significant, as they reflect a broader strategy by the Israeli government to entrench control over the West Bank and undermine the prospect of a Palestinian state (Al Jazeera, Times of Israel). The approval of these policies is expected to lead to increased settlement expansion, raising concerns about potential displacement of Palestinian communities and further complicating the already contentious Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Israeli government's actions are viewed as a step towards deeper de facto annexation of the West Bank, with critics warning of the potential for increased tensions and conflict in the region (Middle East Eye, Al Jazeera).