Three Israeli officials told Reuters that the Israeli government is studying the option to include parts of the occupied West Bank as a possible step to respond to France and other countries in Palestine. Another official explained that the idea will be brought up for a broader discussion at the mini -security meeting on Sunday evening, which also focuses on the developments of the war in Gaza.
Inconceivable
It is still not known to date the areas that may be included or timing, whether in Israeli settlements only or some of them, or in specific areas such as the Jordan Valley. The officials pointed out that any practical step will require a long and complicated legislative path.
Expected reactions
Any movement of this kind of likely to provoke a wide condemnation from the Palestinian side, which considers the West Bank part of the future Palestinian state, as well as from Arab and Western countries. There was no immediate comment from the White House or the US State Department regarding Washington’s position on these plans.
Political background
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office did not commented directly on the issue or his position on it. It is reported that Netanyahu had previously pledged to include Jewish settlements and Jordan Valley, but he retracted this in 2020 in exchange for the signing of “Abraham Conventions”.
Palestinian position
The office of the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas did not respond to a request for comment. On Friday, the United States announced that it would not allow Abbas to travel to New York to attend the meetings of the United Nations General Assembly, as several countries intend to officially recognize Palestine.
An international recognition of Palestine
Israel is angry with the pledges of France, Britain, Australia and Canada to recognize the Palestinian state during a summit on the sidelines of the United Nations meetings next September. In 2024, the International Court of Justice considered that the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, including settlements in the West Bank, is illegal and must be ended.
Legal and international controversy
While the United Nations and most of the international community are the West Bank as an occupied land, Israel says it is “disputed lands” and is not occupied in the legal sense. It is worth noting that the previous annexation operations carried out by Israel in East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights did not receive international recognition.
Continuous calls inside Israel
For years, members of the ruling coalition led by Netanyahu called for the inclusion of parts of the West Bank, based on what they describe as historical and religious connections to the Earth.
