More than 70 United Nations member states have jointly condemned Israel’s reported plans to expand its presence in the West Bank. The countries, ranging from the Republic of South Africa to the State of Kuwait, have described the actions of the Israeli government as unlawful.
According to the Jerusalem Post, the Israeli government on Sunday approved a proposal brought forward by Justice Minister Yariv Levin, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and Defence Minister Israel Katz to resume land registration in the West Bank.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry maintains that developments in the West Bank fall “within the realm of civil and property law”.
Under the approved proposal, individuals residing in the West Bank would be required to provide proof of land ownership. In the absence of such evidence, the land could be designated as “state property” by the Israeli government.
The move has been firmly rejected by Palestine, with its Foreign Ministry describing it as a “clear step toward annexation”.
In a statement, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates strongly condemned the decision to classify large areas of occupied West Bank land as so-called “state land”, calling it illegal and a deliberate move toward annexing Palestinian territory.
The Ministry said the measure is null and void under international law and constitutes a de facto step toward annexation, undermining the foundations and viability of a future Palestinian state.
Photo: @Palestine_UN
