Leading Israeli officials advocate for immediate annexation of the West Bank
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian issue, has been a topic of international concern for decades. One key aspect of this conflict is the status of the West Bank, a region rich in historical and religious significance for both Israelis and Palestinians.
The West Bank, home to biblical cities such as Judea and Samaria, as referred to by Israel, was ruled by Jordan until the 1967 Six-Day War. After the war, Israel captured the West Bank and, de facto, annexed East Jerusalem immediately. The de jure annexation of East Jerusalem came with the 1980 Jerusalem Law.
Annexation plans for the West Bank have evolved over the years, influenced by shifting Israeli politics, international diplomacy, and U.S. policy. One of the early proposals was the Allon Plan in 1967–1974, which proposed annexing parts of the West Bank, especially the Jordan Valley, as a security measure. This was followed by the Sharon Plan from 1977–1984, which further developed these ideas about controlling and annexing parts of the West Bank.
The Oslo Accords in the 1990s created a division of the West Bank into Areas A, B, and C, formally putting off annexation plans in favor of negotiations. However, in 2009, Benjamin Netanyahu, as prime minister, sometimes endorsed two-state solutions but later declared intentions to annex Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
In 2015, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich proposed a “decisive plan” aimed at expanding illegal settlements and extending Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank to prevent a Palestinian state. This was followed by Netanyahu's announcement in September 2019 to annex the Jordan Valley and Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
President Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan in 2020 endorsed significant Israeli annexation, which contributed to Israel’s ongoing and accelerated efforts in the West Bank. Since then, Israel has accelerated settlement expansion, approving the largest land grab in the West Bank to date in July 2024.
The Israeli Knesset passed a non-binding resolution supporting annexation of the West Bank in July 2025, seen as a declaration of intent accelerating the political process but leaving actual annexation powers to the executive branch. However, it's important to note that the annexation of Gaza, like the West Bank, has not yet been officially implemented by Israel.
Internationally, Canada, France, and the United Kingdom have announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations. This move has been met with criticism from Israel, which accuses these nations of rewarding Hamas, a militant group that initiated the conflict with its October 7, 2023, terror attacks.
Security cabinet member Zeev Elkin has suggested a plan to force Hamas to accept a cease-fire deal. Meanwhile, more than 2 million Palestinian Arabs currently live under Israeli military rule and limited self-rule, under the Palestinian Authority (PA).
Canada has proposed that the Palestinian Authority (PA) return to the Gaza Strip and serve as its governor, under the condition that it forms a freer government and addresses corruption concerns. Members of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing party have also called for the annexation of Gaza.
The implications of the international community's recognition of a Palestinian state could potentially impact the ongoing conflict in the region. As the situation continues to evolve, it's crucial to monitor these developments closely and consider their potential impact on peace efforts in the Middle East.
The Israeli Knesset's non-binding resolution in July 2025, aiming to annex the West Bank, was followed by Israel accelerating its efforts in the region, including approving the largest land grab in the West Bank to date in July 2024. Meanwhile, Canada, France, and the United Kingdom have announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations, a move that has been met with criticism from Israel, citing potential rewards for militant groups like Hamas.
