Israel West Bank control measures approved on Sunday mark a significant shift in Israeli policy toward the occupied Palestinian territory, according to official statements. The decisions expand Israeli authority over land ownership, settlement construction, and administrative control in the West Bank.
The measures, endorsed by Israel’s security cabinet, have drawn strong criticism from the Palestinian leadership and condemnation from several Muslim-majority countries, while being welcomed by Israeli settler groups.
Israeli Cabinet Decisions and Settlement Expansion
Israel’s security cabinet approved a package of measures described by officials as fundamentally altering the legal and civil framework in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967. Israeli officials often refer to the territory as Judea and Samaria, using biblical terminology.
According to a joint statement by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defence Minister Israel Katz, the reforms remove long-standing restrictions that prevented Jewish Israeli citizens from purchasing land in the West Bank. The move is widely seen as paving the way for further settlement expansion.
Changes to Building Permits and Local Authority
The measures also transfer authority over building permits for settlements in parts of Palestinian cities, including Hebron, from Palestinian Authority municipal bodies to Israeli authorities. Previously, construction changes in Jewish communities required approval from both Israeli authorities and local Palestinian municipalities.
Under the new arrangements, only Israeli authorization will be required, according to Israeli media reports citing official statements.
Control Over Religious Sites
The approved decisions further allow Israeli authorities to administer certain religious sites located in areas currently under Palestinian Authority control. Israeli officials said the aim is to provide legal and civil certainty for settlers living in these areas.
Palestinian and Regional Response
The Palestinian presidency in Ramallah condemned the measures, stating they are intended to deepen Israeli annexation of the occupied West Bank. Palestinian officials said the decisions legalize settlement expansion, land confiscation, and the demolition of Palestinian properties, including in areas under Palestinian administrative authority.
The Palestinian Authority exercises limited control over fragmented areas of the West Bank under existing agreements.
Condemnation by Muslim-Majority Countries
Saudi Arabia and seven other Muslim-majority countries issued a joint condemnation of the Israeli measures. The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey described the decisions as illegal and aimed at imposing unlawful Israeli sovereignty over occupied territory.
A Saudi foreign ministry statement said the measures entrench settlement activity, create a new legal and administrative reality, and accelerate attempts to annex the West Bank and displace Palestinians.
Political Context and International Law
The announcement comes days before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to visit the United States for talks with President Donald Trump. The United States has publicly opposed Israeli annexation of the West Bank.
Excluding Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem, more than 500,000 Israelis live in settlements and outposts across the West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law. Around three million Palestinians also live in the territory.
According to a recent United Nations report, settlement expansion reached its highest level in 2025 since at least 2017, when the UN began systematically tracking approvals. Israel approved 19 settlements in December alone.
Conclusion:
Israel West Bank control measures approved by the security cabinet represent a major escalation in settlement policy, drawing condemnation from Palestinian leaders and regional governments while reinforcing divisions over the future of the territory.
