Israel’s security cabinet approved a set of measures on Sunday that would give Israel legal authority to apply Israeli law in parts of the West Bank previously under Palestinian Authority (PA) control and to allow Israelis to buy property there, laying groundwork for a formal annexation.
Background: How the West Bank is divided
Under the 1993 Oslo Accords the West Bank is split into three zones. Area C (about 61 %) is under direct Israeli military and civil control, Area B (22 %) is under joint Israeli‑PA administration, and Area A (18 %) is administered by the PA and contains the main Palestinian cities.
For more than three decades this arrangement has defined the status quo, but the new legal steps aim to erode PA authority in Areas A and B, blurring the distinction between the West Bank and Israel.
Major change: Israeli land purchases in the West Bank
The cabinet revoked a Jordanian‑era law that prohibited non‑locals from buying real estate without a special permit, now allowing Israelis to purchase property directly in Areas A and B.
Previously, Israeli settlers acquired land through “military zones,” opaque companies or by pressuring Palestinian owners abroad. The new rule removes the need for such indirect methods.
From land purchases to settlement expansion
The cabinet also approved the final draft of the Antiquities Bill, which would give Israel administrative control over dozens of historic sites in the West Bank, including places such as Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus and the Ibrahimi Mosque area in Hebron.
Control over building permits in these locales would shift from Palestinian municipalities to the Israeli Civil Administration, potentially making it easier to limit Palestinian construction and to approve demolition orders.
International and domestic reactions
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the moves are “working within a clear legal framework to ensure its control over the West Bank” and to “put an end to the idea of an Arab terror state in the heart of the country.”
Eight Arab and Islamic countries issued a joint statement condemning the decisions as a violation of the Oslo Accords and a practical implementation of annexation and expulsion plans. The PA called the measures “null and void.”
The Israeli settlements’ council described the steps as “the most important since 1967,” while the peace‑advocacy group Peace Now denounced them as part of a broader strategy to entrench Israeli control and undermine a two‑state solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What decisions did Israel’s security cabinet approve on Sunday?
The cabinet approved the final draft of the Antiquities Bill, which would extend Israeli authority over historic sites, and it revoked a law that barred non‑locals from purchasing real estate, allowing Israelis to buy property in Areas A and B.
What is the Antiquities Bill?
The Antiquities Bill, first introduced in 2023, concerns dozens of Palestinian historical sites in the West Bank and would give Israel the power to impose Israeli law, including building‑permit regulations, over those areas.
How have Arab and Islamic countries responded?
Eight Arab and Islamic nations released a joint statement condemning the cabinet’s decisions as a violation of the Oslo Accords and urging the international community to intervene.
How might these legal changes affect the prospects for a two‑state solution?
