To control the West Bank!

Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank is a highly complex issue that touches on international law, Palestinian rights, and regional politics. Under international law, the West Bank has been occupied territory since 1967, and its fate must be determined through negotiations. Voting or discussing Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank in an Israeli-only framework ignores Palestinian rights and UN resolutions that consider settlements illegal and call for a two-state solution. Such a discussion, if conducted without genuine Palestinian participation, would be a unilateral move that would increase tensions, rather than pursue a just political solution.

The problem is that “next Sunday, the bill to apply Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank is scheduled to be discussed in the Ministerial Committee for Legislative Affairs, where the campaign is led by Knesset members from the Otzma Yehudit party, and here in this descriptive analysis we will examine the legality of this measure.”

Legally, this procedure is in conflict with international law, but it is carried out within the framework of the internal Israeli legal system. Here is an explanation of the legal dimensions:

1- According to international law:

• The West Bank is considered occupied territory under UN resolutions and the Geneva Conventions, and therefore Israel does not have the legal right to impose its sovereignty over it unilaterally.

• Security Council Resolution 242 (1967) affirms the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force, which applies to the West Bank.

• Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016) condemns settlements and considers them a violation of international law, meaning that the imposition of Israeli sovereignty would also be internationally illegal.

2- From the Israeli side:

The Knesset and the government can debate any bill, but passing it will not change the international legal status, but rather will be a domestic political move aimed at consolidating Israeli control over the West Bank. Israel has previously annexed East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights through unilateral decisions, but the international community has not recognized these decisions.

3- Possible repercussions:

Any move to annex the West Bank could lead to a dangerous escalation, whether within the Palestinian territories or at the diplomatic level with the countries of the world, and could result in international punitive measures against Israel, especially from the European Union or other countries that oppose the annexation, which could undermine any future possibility of a two-state solution.

The procedure is not legal according to international law, but it is possible within the Israeli political system, especially in the midst of Israeli disputes over the dismissal of the legal advisor and the targeting of the judicial system in Israel by extremists, although it may lead to serious consequences on the political, legal and security levels.

Addressing this situation:

Preventing this action requires action on several levels:

1- Palestinian level

Intensify diplomatic efforts: The Palestinian Authority must move quickly to the United Nations, the Security Council, and the European Union to request a clear condemnation of this project as a violation of international law.

Unifying the internal ranks: The Palestinian division weakens any international position, so achieving national unity may increase the ability to confront this step effectively. Activating peaceful popular resistance and organizing peaceful protests and movements on the ground may put pressure on Israel and attract the attention of the international community.

2- Arab and Islamic level

The Arab and Islamic countries, especially those that have relations with Israel, such as the UAE, Bahrain, Jordan and Egypt, are moving to pressure Tel Aviv to stop any steps towards annexation, and to activate the role of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in issuing decisions and taking diplomatic measures against Israel.

3- International level

Escalating the file to the Security Council and the United Nations to impose sanctions or issue resolutions against Israel if it continues with this approach, to pressure the European Union to oppose any annexation step, and this can be used to impose sanctions or freeze economic agreements with Israel, legal action to file complaints with the International Court of Justice or the International Criminal Court against Israeli officials who push for annexation.

4- The internal Israeli level

Supporting opposing Israeli voices: There are Israeli parties and organizations that reject annexation for fear of its security and diplomatic repercussions. These voices can be supported internationally and in the media. Israel can be warned of the consequences if it becomes clear that this step will lead to international isolation. The Israeli government may back down from it, as happened in some previous attempts.

The confrontation requires a unified Palestinian move, Arab and Islamic pressure, activating international channels, and using legal and diplomatic tools to prevent this step before it becomes a reality.

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The bill to apply Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank is scheduled to be discussed next Sunday in the Ministerial Committee for Legislative Affairs, where the campaign is led by Knesset members from the Otzma Yehudit party.