Israel Approves Registration of West Bank Land, Sparks Outrage

On 15 February 2026, Israel's government approved a plan to register land in the West Bank as "state property," eliciting widespread condemnation from Arab states and human rights advocates. Critics argue the move could lead to increased annexation of Palestinian territory. The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated that the measure aims to provide clarity on land ownership rights and resolve legal disputes in areas under Palestinian Authority control. However, Egypt, Qatar, and Jordan have condemned the decision as illegal under international law. Egyptian officials referred to the initiative as a "dangerous escalation," asserting that it seeks to entrench Israeli control over the occupied territories. In a similar vein, Qatar's Foreign Ministry expressed concern, stating that the registration would further deny Palestinian rights.

The Palestinian Authority has responded forcefully, calling for international intervention against what they label a potential start to annexation and a significant threat to the establishment of a Palestinian state. The Ramallah-based authority has referred to this action as a "de facto annexation" of land. Israeli anti-settlement organisation Peace Now described the initiative as a "mega land grab." Jonathan Mizrachi, co-director of the group, suggested that the new registration process would likely challenge the ownership claims of many Palestinians, who may struggle to provide required documentation.

While the measure focuses specifically on Area C of the West Bank, which is under full Israeli control, its implications could be far-reaching. Approximately 300,000 Palestinians reside in this region, facing potential dispossession due to the new ownership criteria outlined in the bill. Critics warn that the existing legal ambiguities could be exploited to justify seizures of land historically claimed by Palestinians. Hagit Ofran, director of Peace Now’s Settlement Watch programme, remarked that the process could allow for Israel to claim up to 83 percent of Area C, a significant portion of the West Bank.

The West Bank is a focal point of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with many settlers advocating for the expansion of Israeli settlements in the area. International law considers these settlements illegal, yet over 500,000 Israelis currently live in such communities, contradicting Palestinian territorial claims. The West Bank holds strategic importance for Palestinians as it is vital to their aspirations for statehood. Observers note that Israel's latest actions occur amid a backdrop of escalating violence and tensions in the region, further complicating efforts toward peace.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk recently commented on the situation, stating that the ongoing changes threaten to disrupt the demographic balance of the occupied territories, displacing Palestinian communities and exacerbating the conflict.