The Israeli Knesset has voted in favor of a draft law calling for the imposition of sovereignty over the West Bank and the Jordan Valley.
While this vote—expressing official support for imposing “Israeli sovereignty” over the occupied West Bank—is not legally binding, it is considered a dangerous move that effectively paves the way for annexation. It also reflects a broader shift within the Knesset toward increased extremism.
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The proposal enjoys explicit backing from far-right ministers in the Israeli government, who see this as a “historic opportunity” that must not be missed to apply full sovereignty over the West Bank. The vote took place yesterday, just before the Knesset entered its summer recess.
Although the Israeli government is the authorized body to make such decisions, this latest action continues the radical right-wing agenda aimed at entrenching a gradual annexation process. This comes after the Knesset previously voted overwhelmingly against the establishment of a Palestinian state—sending a clear political message to the international community.
The vote came under a "motion on the agenda" introduced by several Knesset members and approved by the Knesset Presidency. Though symbolic and non-binding, the initiators are calling on the government to “act to apply sovereignty” over the West Bank, with support from both coalition and opposition members.
Far-right figures within the Israeli establishment are exploiting regional and international focus on the Doha negotiations aimed at reaching a ceasefire in Gaza to alter the historical and legal status of the West Bank and tighten their grip in preparation for its full annexation.
This move is part of a broader far-right push to cement facts on the ground through legislation. The current Israeli government has accelerated settlement projects and measures aimed at de facto annexation of large parts of the West Bank.
Prior to this vote, there had been an escalation in official calls to annex the West Bank. The latest was a letter sent on July 2 by Likud ministers and the Knesset Speaker to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urging him to immediately approve annexation—a step widely rejected by the Arab world and the international community.
A recent conference held in the Knesset saw broad participation from far-right ministers and MPs, especially from the ruling Likud party. The gathering called for seizing the current “historic opportunity” to apply full sovereignty over the West Bank, including all settlements.
Participants claimed that "Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank is a security necessity before being a political option,” and firmly rejected the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. They argued that the West Bank represents a “defensive line” for the Israeli entity.
In parallel, Israeli forces have escalated military operations in the West Bank, increasing raids and assaults across various cities and towns. This has been accompanied by a rise in settler attacks on Palestinians and their property, amid a broader expansion of aggression against the Palestinian people.
Since October 7, 2023, Israeli forces and settlers have intensified their attacks in the West Bank, resulting in the martyrdom of over 1,000 Palestinians and the injury of nearly 7,000, according to Palestinian data.
These developments coincide with continued Israeli violations at Al-Aqsa Mosque, where dozens of settlers yesterday stormed its courtyards in groups, conducted provocative tours, and performed alleged Talmudic rituals under the protection of occupation forces.
In response, repeated Palestinian calls are urging mass mobilization and strong presence at Al-Aqsa Mosque to confront Israeli attempts to impose full control over it and to resist efforts to divide it temporally and spatially.
