Israel's security cabinet approved measures on Sunday, February 8, 2026, to expand Jewish settlements and tighten administrative control over the occupied West Bank, sparking immediate condemnation from Palestinian authorities. The decisions include repealing a decades-old Jordanian law that restricted land sales to Jewish buyers and streamlining processes for land acquisition, which Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich hailed as a "historic day" for settlement growth.
Palestinian Response and International Law
The Palestinian presidency labeled the measures "illegal, null, and void," accusing Israel of implementing de facto annexation and violating international agreements. In a statement carried by WAFA, officials warned the moves threaten regional stability and undermine prospects for a two-state solution. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry further criticized the actions as "criminal," asserting that Israel lacks legal authority to alter existing laws in occupied territories.
Historical Context and Regional Implications
Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, with settlements widely deemed illegal under international law. Palestinian leaders argue that expanding Israeli civilian control erodes the viability of a future Palestinian state. The latest measures come amid heightened tensions, with Palestinian officials urging immediate international intervention to halt what they describe as systematic displacement efforts.
