Israel’s cabinet approved a plan on Feb. 15 to resume land registration procedures in the occupied West Bank, a move that Palestinian officials and international actors warned could accelerate de facto annexation of parts of the territory.
The process, largely frozen since the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, will focus primarily on Area C of the West Bank, which remains under full Israeli civil and military control under the Oslo Accords and constitutes about 60% of the territory.
Focus on Area C
Israeli authorities estimate that roughly two-thirds of Area C has never been formally registered. The government resolution allocates 244 million shekels (about $79 million) for 2026–2030 and authorises 35 new positions within the Justice Ministry and the Civil Administration to implement the measure.
In a statement, Israel’s foreign ministry said the initiative aimed to ensure “transparent and thorough clarification of rights” and counter what it described as unlawful land registration efforts by the Palestinian Authority in Area C.
International reaction
The Palestinian Authority described the decision as “de facto annexation” and a violation of international law that undermines prospects for a future Palestinian state.
The European Union called the move a “dangerous escalation” and urged Israel to reconsider. Saudi Arabia said Israel had “no sovereignty” over occupied territory and warned the decision could further weaken chances for a two-state solution.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres expressed grave concern, saying such steps risk pushing the region further away from a negotiated settlement.
Legal and political implications
Critics, including Israeli watchdog group Peace Now, labelled the measure a “mega land grab.”
Under the renewed framework, Palestinians claiming ownership in Area C would be required to provide documentary proof, potentially including Ottoman, British Mandate or Jordanian-era records. Legal observers say meeting Israeli evidentiary standards may prove challenging, particularly where land use has historically relied on customary claims rather than formal deeds.
If documentation is deemed insufficient, land could be designated as Israeli state property.
Analysts note that transferring oversight of land registration to Israel’s Justice Ministry, rather than keeping it solely under military administration, may signal a shift toward expanded civilian governance in the area. While the Israeli government has not framed the decision as annexation, critics say the move could entrench long-term control.
Broader context
Israel has controlled the West Bank since 1967. Land ownership and settlement expansion remain among the most contentious issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with negotiations toward a two-state solution stalled in recent years.
As the registration process moves forward, diplomatic pressure and potential legal challenges are expected to intensify.
