The Israeli Knesset has voted in favour of a draft resolution calling for the imposition of Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank and Jordan Valley.
The proposal, submitted by far-right parties within the ruling coalition, passed with a majority of 71 votes, just before the start of the Knesset’s summer recess.
Although the draft has no legally binding force, it is considered to carry “significant symbolic and historical weight.”
According to Israel’s Channel 14, the resolution was introduced by Simcha Rothman of the Religious Zionism party, Limor Son Har-Melech of Otzma Yehudit, and Dan Illouz of the Likud party, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Channel 14 reiterated that the motion is declarative only, without any legal authority, but described it as symbolically and historically impactful.
Earlier this month, ministers from the Likud party and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana called on Netanyahu to immediately annex the occupied West Bank.
In a letter signed by 14 ministers and Speaker Ohana and sent to Netanyahu — the leader of Likud — the signatories stated:
“We, ministers and members of the Knesset, demand the immediate application of Israeli sovereignty and law over Judea and Samaria (the biblical term for the West Bank).”
The letter continued:
“It is time for the government to approve the application of sovereignty from now until the end of the summer parliamentary session on 27 July 2025.”
The signatories argued that the strategic partnership and support from the United States and President Donald Trump create a favourable moment for annexation. They warned that the concept of settlement blocs and the establishment of a Palestinian state on remaining land represents an existential threat to Israel.
Ministers from the following portfolios also signed the letter: Defence, Economy, Agriculture, Energy, Communications, Transport, Justice, Tourism, Innovation, Science and Technology, Culture and Sports, Diaspora Affairs, Education, Social Equality, and Regional Cooperation, along with the Speaker of the Knesset.
Since the beginning of the Israeli genocide in Gaza in 2023, the occupation has accelerated its settlement expansion in the West Bank, intensifying calls to annex the territory and impose full Israeli sovereignty — while continuing to reject the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
The United Nations continues to affirm that Israeli settlements in occupied territories are illegal, warning that such actions undermine the possibility of resolving the conflict through a two-state solution. Despite repeated calls, Israel has refused to halt settlement activity.
In mid-2024, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion stating that Israel’s ongoing presence in the occupied Palestinian territories is illegal under international law.
The court further emphasised that international organisations — including the United Nations — are obligated not to recognise the situation resulting from this illegal presence.
