Israel’s parliament has given preliminary approval to a controversial bill applying Israeli law to the occupied West Bank—a move widely viewed as a step toward annexation of Palestinian territory. The bill, which passed by a narrow 25–24 vote in the first of four required rounds, coincided with U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Israel. The proposal comes just a month after U.S. President Donald Trump warned that his administration would not allow annexation of the West Bank.
The legislation was introduced by lawmakers outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling coalition. While Netanyahu’s Likud party did not back the measure, some coalition members from National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s Jewish Power party and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionism faction voted in favor. A separate bill to annex the Maale Adumim settlement passed more comfortably, 31–9. Both bills would face a lengthy legislative process before becoming law.
Supporters of annexation argue that Israel has historical and biblical claims to the territory it captured during the 1967 war. However, the United Nations and most of the international community consider the West Bank occupied territory. In 2024, the UN’s top court declared Israel’s occupation and settlements illegal, urging their withdrawal.
The Palestinian foreign ministry condemned the Knesset’s move, stating Israel has “no sovereignty over Palestinian land.” Hamas also denounced the vote as a “colonial attempt” to seize Palestinian territory. The Palestinian Authority, which maintains limited self-rule in parts of the West Bank, called the legislation illegitimate.
The UAE, one of the first Arab nations to normalize relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords, warned that annexation would cross a red line. Senior Emirati official Anwar Gargash reiterated that “maximalist” policies toward Palestinians are outdated and destabilizing.