🏛️ Israel approves West Bank land-registration reform amid regional backlash

Oneliner

Israel's cabinet has approved a land-registration process in the West Bank for the first time since 1967, a move condemned by Arab states as a de facto annexation. The reform allows Israeli citizens to purchase land and strengthens Israeli control over the territory, particularly in Area C. Jordan and Egypt have issued strong statements against the measure, citing violations of international law and warning that it undermines the two-state solution. The decision is expected to complicate future peace negotiations and exacerbate tensions in the region.

Key points

• Israel's new land-registration process allows for the binding registration of land in the West Bank.
• The reform has been condemned by Arab states as a threat to the two-state solution.
• The measure is expected to facilitate land acquisition by Israeli settlers in Area C.
• Jordan and Egypt have issued strong statements against the reform, citing violations of international law.

Links

• Público: Israel aprueba registrar tierras de Cisjordania por primera vez desde 1967
• Público: "Nos enfrentamos al mismo destino que los musulmanes": así sufre la comunidad cristiana el acoso de los colonos israelíes
• El Mundo: Israel reabre el proceso para registrar tierras de Cisjordania por primera vez desde 1967
• ABC: El conflicto entre Israel y Palestina comenzó hace más de un siglo con esta carta
• El Mundo: Alarma en Oriente Próximo tras la reforma israelí que permite la anexión de tierras de Cisjordania
• Diário de Notícias: Médio Oriente: Mundo árabe acusa Israel de querer anexar Cisjordânia
• BFMTV: Cisjordanie: l'Union européenne exhorte Israël à revenir sur ses mesures foncières
• www.vrt.be: "Megagrote landroof": nieuwe maatregelen maken het Israëlische kolonisten makkelijker om land te verwerven | VRT NWS: nieuws

Facts

• The land-registration process was approved on February 15, 2026.
• Area C covers approximately 60% of the West Bank and is under Israeli control.
• The reform has been described as a 'de facto annexation' by Palestinian authorities.
• Jordan and Egypt have condemned the reform, citing violations of international law.

Quotes

• We continue the revolution of the settlements and consolidate our control over our entire country — Bezalel Smotrich
• This measure, which seeks to forcibly displace the Palestinian people from their land, is a clear violation of international law — Turkish foreign ministry

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