Israel’s parliament advances bill to annex occupied West Bank

Jerusalem: Israel’s parliament has given preliminary approval to a controversial bill extending Israeli sovereignty to the occupied West Bank, a move widely condemned as a violation of international law and seen as tantamount to formal annexation of Palestinian territory.

In a razor-thin 25–24 vote, the Knesset passed the bill in its first reading on Wednesday. The legislation will now move to the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee for further review before returning for the three additional readings required to become law.

The proposal, introduced by Avi Maoz, leader of the far-right Noam party, seeks to apply Israeli civil law to the territories of Judea and Samaria — the biblical terms used for the West Bank. Although most members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party abstained, Likud MK Yuli Edelstein broke ranks and cast the deciding vote in favor.

Far-right coalition partners Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, known for their hardline positions, celebrated the outcome. Smotrich declared, “It is time to apply full sovereignty over all the territories of our forefathers.”

International Condemnation:

The United States quickly voiced opposition. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said President Donald Trump “would not support” annexation, calling the move “counterproductive to ongoing peace efforts in Gaza.” The vote coincided with a visit to Israel by Vice President JD Vance, who sought to reinforce the fragile ceasefire in Gaza.

Rubio also emphasized that “the Israeli parliament’s move will endanger the Gaza peace agreement,” adding that “the oppression of Palestinians in Gaza by Hamas is horrific.” He noted that “several countries are ready to join an international force for Gaza” and reiterated Washington’s openness to dialogue with Russia in pursuit of regional peace.

Across the Middle East, the response was swift and severe. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry, Hamas, and the governments of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan all condemned the Knesset’s decision as a “blatant violation of international law.”

Statement | Qatar condemns in the strongest terms the Knesset’s approval of two laws aimed at imposing Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank and a settlement#MOFAQatar pic.twitter.com/zpEQwVwLiU

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) October 22, 2025

The UN’s principal court ruled in 2024 that Israel’s occupation and settlement activities in the West Bank are illegal and should end immediately. With more than 700,000 Israeli settlers now living in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, critics warn that annexation would permanently eliminate any remaining prospects for a two-state solution.

Jordan’s Strong Response:

In a sharply worded statement, Jordan condemned Israel’s decision, calling it a “violation of international law and an assault on Palestinian self-determination.”

“Israel’s unilateral and illegal policies undermine the two-state solution and violate UN resolutions,” the statement read. “The international community must act urgently to stop Israel from taking these dangerous and illegal actions.”

What’s Next:

The bill faces three more readings before becoming law, but even its preliminary approval marks a dramatic escalation in Israel’s territorial ambitions and a potential flashpoint for renewed regional tensions.

If passed, the legislation would formally annex the West Bank — a step that many fear could trigger widespread unrest and deepen Israel’s international isolation.