A recent decision by Israel's security cabinet has drawn criticism from Palestinians, Arab nations, Israeli groups opposed to occupation, and the UK, who argue that the move effectively amounts to annexation of the West Bank.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a member of the far-right, unveiled plans to simplify the process for Jewish settlers to acquire Palestinian land, stating that the goal is to undermine the concept of a Palestinian state.

International law considers all Israeli settlements to be illegal.

The proposed measures, pending approval from Israel's top military commander in the West Bank, seek to expand Israeli authority over the territory by reforming laws and regulations related to property, planning, licensing, and enforcement.

The announcement comes just three days before a scheduled meeting in Washington between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump.

According to the United Nations, West Bank settlements experienced their most rapid expansion on record last year.

Israel has introduced new policies, including the removal of a long-standing ban on direct sales of West Bank land to Jewish buyers and the release of previously classified land registry records. Previously, settlers were only able to purchase homes from companies registered with the Israeli government.

The Israeli government has framed the policy shift as a move to promote transparency and simplify the process of acquiring land. The foreign ministry later stated that the change corrected a "discriminatory" practice that had unfairly restricted real estate purchases in the region for Jews, Americans, Europeans, and non-Arabs.

The cabinet has also abolished the requirement for a transaction permit, which had been in place to prevent fraudulent activities in real estate transactions, thereby reducing regulatory oversight.

Palestinian concerns have been raised that these changes may result in increased coercion on individuals to sell their properties, as well as a higher risk of fraudulent activities, including forgery.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who leads the Palestinian Authority governing parts of the West Bank, condemned the measures as "dangerous" and accused Israel of attempting to legitimize settlement expansion, land seizure, and demolition of Palestinian properties, including in areas under Palestinian control.

Abbas urged the United States and the UN Security Council to take immediate action in response to the situation.

According to the Israeli NGO Peace Now, the cabinet's decision poses a significant risk to the stability of the Palestinian Authority and involves the cancellation of existing agreements, effectively annexing territory. The organization alleged that the Israeli government is disregarding all constraints to facilitate large-scale land expropriation in the West Bank.

The United Kingdom expressed strong opposition to the move, calling on Israel to rescind its decision, and stating that any unilateral attempt to alter the geographic or demographic characteristics of Palestine would be unacceptable and inconsistent with international law.

A joint statement by the foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar characterized the announcement as an effort to accelerate Israel's illegal annexation of territory and displace the Palestinian population.

A recent statement cautioned against Israel's ongoing expansionist policies and unlawful actions in the occupied West Bank, citing their role in exacerbating regional violence and conflict.

The issue of land ownership is central to the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, and the sale of land to settlers is often a complex and opaque process involving intermediaries. Such transactions are viewed as acts of treason by the Palestinian Authority and are technically punishable by death, although those convicted typically receive prison sentences instead.

Smotrich, who oversees settlement policies, and Defence Minister Israel Katz have unveiled several contentious measures, including a plan to grant Israeli authorities exclusive control over building permits in Hebron, a city known for its religious significance and volatile atmosphere.

The Cave of the Patriarchs, also referred to as the Ibrahimi Mosque, holds profound significance for Jews, Muslims, and Christians, as it is believed to be the burial site of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This site is considered the second-most sacred in Judaism and the fourth-most sacred in Islam.

Under the proposed arrangements, Israeli entities would be entrusted with overseeing and enforcing environmental and archaeological regulations in areas administered by the Palestinian Authority.

A committee is set to be reestablished, enabling the State of Israel to proactively acquire land in the West Bank, with the stated goal of ensuring a long-term land reserve for settlement expansion.

Following the landmark 1993 Oslo Accords, the Palestinian Authority was granted full authority over urban areas, comprising approximately 20% of the territory, designated as Area A, as part of the peace agreement.

In Area B, which covers a comparable percentage of the territory, the Palestinian Authority holds administrative control, while Israel maintains responsibility for security matters.

Israel exercises full administrative and security control over approximately 60% of the West Bank, an area known as Area C, where numerous Israeli settlements are located.

The West Bank, which was captured by Israel from Jordan in 1967, along with East Jerusalem, is home to over 700,000 Israeli settlers, with these territories being claimed by Palestinians as essential components of their envisioned independent state, alongside the Gaza Strip.

The Trump administration has taken a stance against Israel annexing the West Bank, yet it has not attempted to curb the rapid expansion of Israeli settlements in the area.

Smotrich, the leader of a party that advocates for settlers, has made a commitment to increase the number of settlers in the West Bank by 100 percent.

A proposal for the establishment of 19 new settlements was approved by Israel's cabinet in December, and plans are underway to begin building a highly disputed settlement near Jerusalem, known as E1, which could potentially divide the West Bank into two separate regions.

Data from the UN indicates that in 2025, the number of displaced Palestinians exceeded 37,000, marking a record high, while also noting that the same year saw the highest levels of violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers.

The governing coalition led by Netanyahu comprises numerous members who support the annexation of the West Bank by Israel, citing historical and religious connections to the territory.

As the country approaches an election, the prime minister has made it clear that he will not support the establishment of a Palestinian state, citing concerns that it would compromise national security.

A non-binding advisory opinion was issued by the International Court of Justice, the United Nations' principal judicial organ, in 2024, stating that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories is unlawful and should be brought to an end.