Israel Registers West Bank Land, Sparking Settlement Expansion Fears

The Israeli government has approved the registration of vast zones in the West Bank as “state property,” a move that effectively expands settlements in the Palestinian territories – settlements considered illegal under international law. This decision, which has not been enacted since 1967, is expected to pave the way for the regularization of agricultural enterprises in the West Bank, marking “another step toward annexation,” according to Israeli public broadcaster Kan. The office of Palestinian Authority President Abu Mazen has condemned the measure as a “grave escalation” and a “blatant violation” of international law.

Expanding Control in Area C

Approximately two-thirds of the land in the West Bank has never been formally registered, including Area C, which constitutes around 60% of the entire territory, according to the Times of Israel. Area C, defined by the 1995 Oslo Accords, encompasses most of the Jordan Valley, the Judean Desert, and the majority of the region’s natural resources. Israel exercises full authority in Area C regarding security, civil matters, urban planning, construction, and land administration. All Israeli settlements and connecting infrastructure are located within Area C. The approved procedure will allow for land registration with Israeli authorities if it is not already registered as private property.

Did You Know? The current process of land registration has not been undertaken since 1967, following the Six-Day War.

Political Reactions and Expert Concerns

The proposal, initially presented last May, was put forward by Ministers of Justice Yariv Levin, Finance Bezalel Smotrich, and defence Israel Katz. Smotrich, a leader of Israel’s far-right, had urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “take a historic decision to apply Israeli sovereignty to all open areas” of the West Bank, referring to the area by its biblical names of “Judea and Samaria.” Levin commented that “the land of Israel belongs to the people of Israel” and that the government is committed to strengthening its presence throughout the region. However, the Israeli NGO Peace Now views the government’s decision as a “massive expropriation of land in the West Bank toward a de facto annexation,” arguing it contradicts both public will and Israeli interests.

A Measure Without Precedent

This action represents an unprecedented measure since Israel’s conquest of the West Bank during the 1967 Six-Day War. Based on norms inherited from the British Mandate, land not proven in court as privately owned can be declared “state land” through a census. Israel is referencing this mandate rule to regulate settlements in Area C retroactively. The Palestinian Authority disputes this legal position. The government states in the decree’s introduction that these issues are further highlighted by the Palestinian Authority’s own land regularization efforts throughout the West Bank, including Area C, and the establishment of an independent authority to implement a census.

Expert Insight: The decision to move forward with land registration in the West Bank significantly alters the legal landscape, potentially making it exceedingly difficult for Palestinians to substantiate their land claims given the current lack of formal documentation.

Additional Government Actions

Last week, Israel’s security cabinet approved another unprecedented measure: authorizing law enforcement to operate in Areas A and B, which, according to the 1993 Oslo Accords, fall under Palestinian administrative management. The government also approved the repeal of a Jordanian law (Jordan administered the West Bank between 1949 and 1967) prohibiting the sale of land to non-Arabs. This decision prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to state his opposition to annexation, citing other pressing concerns, particularly in Gaza, where Hamas’s refusal to disarm complicates the potential entry of a technical government and Israeli military forces. Trump warned that disarmament would be achieved “the easy way or the hard way,” potentially foreshadowing renewed Israeli military intervention and a resumption of war. Hamas, through its Ministry of Health, has demanded that Doctors Without Borders retract a statement announcing the suspension of non-essential activities at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis due to the “presence of armed men, suspected arms transfers, and arrests of patients.” The IDF has confirmed that Hamas uses the medical complex as its headquarters, as it did during previous conflicts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Area C?

Area C constitutes approximately 60% of the West Bank, encompassing the Jordan Valley, the Judean Desert, and most of the region’s natural resources. Israel exercises full authority in this area.

What are the Oslo Accords?

The Oslo Accords, signed in 1995, defined Area C as being under full Israeli authority, encompassing security, civil matters, and land administration.

What is the Palestinian Authority’s response to this decision?

The office of Palestinian Authority President Abu Mazen has defined the measure as a “grave escalation” and a “blatant violation” of international law.

As Israel moves forward with this land registration process, what implications might this have for future negotiations and the overall stability of the region?