Israel’s move to register West Bank land draws condemnation as a “mega land grab” and a dangerous escalation towards annexation.
JERUSALEM: Israel’s government has approved a process to register land in the West Bank, drawing immediate condemnation from Arab nations and critics who labelled it a “mega land grab” that would accelerate annexation of the Palestinian territory.
The Israeli foreign ministry said the measure would enable a “transparent and thorough clarification of rights to resolve legal disputes”.
It argued the step was necessary due to unlawful land registration in areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority.
Egypt, Qatar and Jordan swiftly criticised the move as illegal under international law.
The Egyptian government called it a “dangerous escalation aimed at consolidating Israeli control over the occupied Palestinian territories”.
Qatar’s foreign ministry condemned the “decision to convert West Bank lands into so-called ‘state property'”.
It warned the action would “deprive the Palestinian people of their rights”.
The Palestinian Authority called for international intervention to prevent what it termed the “de facto beginning of the annexation process”.
It said the move undermined the foundations of a future Palestinian state.
Israeli anti-settlement watchdog Peace Now called Sunday’s cabinet decision a “mega land grab”.
According to public broadcaster Kan, land registration will be reopened in the West Bank for the first time since Israel captured the territory in the 1967 war.
Israeli media reported the process will occur only in Area C, which constitutes about 60% of the West Bank and is under full Israeli security and administrative control.
Palestinians view the West Bank as foundational to any future state, while many on Israel’s religious right seek to take over the land.
The approval follows a series of measures backed by far-right ministers to tighten Israeli control over areas administered by the Palestinian Authority.
Those measures, approved last week, also sparked international backlash.
They include allowing Jewish Israelis to buy West Bank land directly and permitting Israeli authorities to administer certain religious sites in Palestinian-controlled areas.
More than 500,000 Israelis live in West Bank settlements and outposts, which are considered illegal under international law.
Around three million Palestinians live in the territory.