Monday, 25 May 2026
Knesset passes bill advancing annexation of West Bank
The Israeli Knesset has approved a draft bill advocating the extension of Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank and the Jordan Valley, according to Jordan News.
Although the vote—demonstrating official support for the imposition of “Israeli sovereignty” on the occupied West Bank—is not legally binding, it marks a significant escalation, laying the groundwork for possible annexation. This development also highlights a growing trend toward extremism within the Knesset.
The bill has received strong support from far-right ministers in the Israeli government, who describe it as a “historic opportunity” to establish full sovereignty over the West Bank. The vote occurred just ahead of the Knesset’s summer recess.
While the authority to enact such measures lies with the Israeli government, this move underscores the radical right-wing agenda aiming for the gradual annexation of the territory. It follows an earlier overwhelming Knesset decision rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state, sending a clear message to the international community.
The vote took place under a “motion on the agenda” put forward by several Knesset members and approved by the Knesset Presidency. Though symbolic and lacking legal force, its backers urge the government to “take action to apply sovereignty” over the West Bank, securing support from both coalition and opposition lawmakers.
Far-right factions within the Israeli establishment are leveraging international attention on the Doha ceasefire talks for Gaza to change the legal and historical status of the West Bank, tightening their grip in anticipation of full annexation.
This move forms part of a broader far-right strategy to assert control through legislation. The current Israeli government has accelerated settlement expansion and measures that move toward the de facto annexation of much of the West Bank.
In the lead-up to the vote, official calls to annex the West Bank grew more frequent. Most recently, on July 2, Likud ministers and the Knesset Speaker sent a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanding immediate approval of annexation—a demand widely condemned by Arab nations and the international community.
A recent Knesset conference drew substantial participation from far-right ministers and MPs, particularly from the ruling Likud party. The event called for taking advantage of the current “historic opportunity” to impose full sovereignty over the West Bank, including all settlements.
Participants argued that “Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank is first and foremost a security imperative, not just a political choice,” and strongly opposed the creation of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. They portrayed the West Bank as a crucial “defensive line” for Israel.
At the same time, Israeli forces have intensified military activities in the West Bank, increasing raids and operations across multiple cities and towns. This surge in military presence has coincided with a rise in settler attacks against Palestinians and their property, reflecting an overall escalation of aggression toward the Palestinian people.