Israeli Parliament Advances Controversial West Bank Annexation Bill Amid International Opposition
The Israeli Knesset has approved, in a preliminary reading, a controversial bill aimed at annexing the occupied West Bank. Despite opposition from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party, the bill passed by a slim margin of 25-24. The timing of the vote coincides with the visit of US Vice President JD Vance, leading to criticism that the move is an attempt to embarrass the government.
Background and Context
This development comes amidst growing international pressure, including from the Trump administration, which has voiced its opposition to the annexation. The West Bank, a territory Palestinians desire for a future state, has been under Israeli occupation since 1967. The bill, which is tantamount to annexation, needs to pass three more votes in the Knesset before it becomes law.
Key Developments
Alongside the West Bank annexation bill, the Knesset also passed a preliminary reading of a bill proposed by Avigdor Lieberman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party to extend Israeli sovereignty over the Ma'aleh Adumim settlement near Jerusalem. This move has been equally contentious, sparking criticism from various quarters.
Despite Netanyahu's party not supporting the bill, some members of the Likud party reportedly rebelled against the Prime Minister. Notably, former Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chair, Edelstein, who cast a decisive vote in favor of the bill, was dismissed from the Knesset defense panel following his vote.
International Reactions and Implications
The advancement of these bills has drawn international condemnation and concern. Forty-four Democratic senators in the US have penned a letter to President Trump urging him to reaffirm his opposition to the annexation. The move is also opposed by the UAE, one of Israel's closest Arab partners.
Hamas, the Palestinian political and military organization, criticized the bill, affirming that the occupation’s frantic attempts to annex West Bank lands are invalid and illegitimate and will not change the fact that the West Bank is Palestinian territory.
Qatar has also condemned the Knesset's vote, considering it a blatant violation of the historical rights of the Palestinian people and a challenge to international law and relevant resolutions.
The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called on the international community to take urgent action and halt the Israeli expansionist plans.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that the proposed annexation threatens the peace agreement in Gaza and could be counter-productive.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) stated that Israel has no jurisdiction to impose its sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories, including the West Bank.
Conclusion
The future of these bills remains uncertain, given the opposition both domestically and internationally. The fact that the bills were able to pass the first reading undermines the position of the current government and its policies towards the occupied territories. The international community continues to watch developments closely, with growing calls for halting the annexation process.