Ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, Israel has intensified control over the occupied West Bank.
On Sunday, Israel’s security cabinet approved measures expanding enforcement powers and enabling state-backed land purchases for settlement expansion.
Accordingly, far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the decisions would fundamentally alter the West Bank’s legal and civil framework.
The United Nations and most countries reserve the territory for a future Palestinian state.
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Notably, the measures expand Israeli enforcement into Areas A and B of the West Bank.
Under the Oslo Accords, those areas fall under Palestinian security control and cover about 40 percent of the territory.
Meanwhile, Israel will reactivate its Land Acquisition Committee to purchase West Bank land for settlement expansion.
In addition, new rules grant municipal and building powers to Jewish settlers in the city of Hebron.
Consequently, settlers can expand without consulting the Palestinian-run Hebron municipality.
Furthermore, the cabinet approved steps easing land purchases by settlers across the occupied territory.
The measures aim to accelerate settlement growth and entrench the Jewish population in the West Bank.
Reacting, Smotrich said the government is removing barriers and deepening Israel’s presence across the territory.
Smotrich, who also serves as deputy defence minister, has openly opposed the creation of a Palestinian state.
