Over 80 UN member states condemn Israel’s de facto annexation of West Bank

Israeli NGOs are expressing concern over a government-approved settlement plan that could expand Jerusalem's borders into the occupied West Bank for the first time since 1967. The plan, announced by the Ministry of Construction and Housing, involves expanding the Geva Binyamin (Adam) settlement, located northeast of Jerusalem in the West Bank. If implemented, this would mark a westward expansion of the settlement. The international community does not recognize Israel's annexation of East Jerusalem, which Palestinians claim as the capital of their future state. The announcement comes amid increasing international criticism of Israeli measures aimed at solidifying control over the West Bank.

In February 2026, Israel took steps to increase control over the occupied West Bank. The Israeli security cabinet approved measures facilitating land purchases by settlers, repealing previous regulations. The government also approved reactivating land registration in the area for the first time since 1967. These actions allow Israel to potentially claim ownership of significant portions of land Palestinians hoped to include in a future state. Experts suggest this accelerated confiscation of Palestinian land could trigger renewed violence. Guests on Inside Story discussed the implications of these actions.

Israel will begin a land registration process in the occupied West Bank, specifically in Area C, which is under full Israeli military control. This process, frozen since 1967, requires anyone claiming land ownership to provide documentation. The Israeli government says this will allow for future development. Peace Now, an Israeli anti-settlement group, claims this amounts to a "mega land grab" from Palestinians, potentially giving Israel control of almost all of Area C. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the decision as a violation of international law and a de facto annexation, calling for international intervention. This decision is the latest in a series of steps by Israel to deepen its control over the West Bank.

Israeli settlers are repeatedly chasing Palestinians out of their homes in occupied West Bank villages as new policies expand annexation plans and deepen displacement cycles. The attacks are driving Bedouin Palestinians from their ancestral lands, threatening ethnic cleansing. In recent years, Israeli authorities have been expanding annexation plans in the region, leading to increased tensions between settlers and Palestinian residents. The displaced Palestinians often face difficulties in accessing basic services such as healthcare and education. The situation is particularly dire for Bedouin communities, who have lived in the West Bank for centuries. The displacement of Palestinians by Israeli settlers has become a recurring pattern in occupied West Bank villages.

Rights groups have condemned a recent Israeli proposal to register land in the occupied West Bank as state property. Approved in February 2026, the policy change raises concerns that Palestinians face an increased risk of displacement and land loss. Experts contend that this land registration policy constitutes a violation of international law. The move is viewed by critics as a de facto annexation of West Bank territory. The policy's implementation and potential impact on Palestinian residents are being closely monitored.

Over 80 UN member states condemned Israel's plan to expand control over the occupied West Bank and claim Palestinian territory as Israeli "state property" in a joint statement issued on February 18, 2026. The coalition, represented by the Palestinian Ambassador to the UN, stated that these unilateral decisions violate international law and undermine peace efforts. The statement specifically opposed measures altering the demographic composition of the occupied Palestinian territory since 1967, including East Jerusalem. Signatories included countries like Australia, Canada, China, France, and several international organizations like the EU and the Arab League. The condemnation follows Israel's decision to implement land registration in Area C of the West Bank for the first time since the beginning of its occupation in 1967.