Israel’s parliament advances bill to annex occupied West Bank - Al Jazeera
Original story by: Al Jazeera English
Last updated: Oct 22, 2025
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- Context: The Israeli parliament (Knesset) has advanced a bill to impose Israeli sovereignty on the occupied West Bank, a move widely considered annexation and a violation of international law. This preliminary vote occurred despite opposition from Prime Minister Netanyahu and his Likud party, and amidst a visit by US Vice President JD Vance.
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- Detailed Summary:
- A preliminary bill to apply Israeli sovereignty to the West Bank (referred to as Judea and Samaria) passed its first reading in the Knesset with a narrow 25-24 vote.
- The bill, initiated by Avi Maoz of the far-right Noam Party, now moves to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee for further review.
- Despite Prime Minister Netanyahu and his Likud party opposing the bill, some coalition members from the Jewish Power and Religious Zionism factions voted in favor.
- One Likud member, Yuli Edelstein, defied Netanyahu's stance and cast the deciding vote.
- A separate bill proposing the annexation of the Maale Adumim settlement also passed.
- The vote's timing coincides with a visit by US Vice President JD Vance to Israel to discuss the Gaza ceasefire.
- The Likud party criticized the vote as a provocation by the opposition aimed at damaging relations with the United States, stating that true sovereignty is achieved through practical action, not legislative posturing.
- Annexing the West Bank is seen as a significant obstacle to a two-state solution, as outlined in UN resolutions.
- The move has drawn strong condemnation from the Palestinian Foreign Ministry, Hamas, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, all of whom characterized it as a violation of international law and Palestinian rights.
- International law, including rulings from the UN's principal court, deems Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank illegal.
- Some Israeli analysts view the vote as a performative political gesture in response to pressures surrounding the Gaza ceasefire deal.
- The United Arab Emirates has previously warned against the annexation of the West Bank, calling it a red line.
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