'Israel' targets 15% of area C in West Bank in first major land registration since 1967
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- 'Israeli' government set to approve historic land registration in the West Bank, first since 1967.
- Initial plan targets 15% of Area C by 2030 to counter Palestinian Authority land initiatives.
The 'Israeli' government is expected to approve a historic plan to begin registering land in the West Bank for the first time since the territory came under 'Israeli' control in the 1967 6-Day War. The decision, set for today’s cabinet session, aims to formalize land ownership and assert state authority over unregistered areas.
Read more: Moscow condemns 'Israel' West Bank moves, calls them Oslo blow
Step Toward “Bottom-Up” Sovereignty
The initiative focuses on converting large swaths of land in Judea and Samaria into state land, provided there are no competing ownership claims. Authorities emphasize a gradual, cautious approach, requiring full legal documentation for each plot before registration.
Read more: Abbas urges US to take “firm stance” on 'Israeli' measures in West Bank
Officials describe the move as reinforcing 'Israel’s' connection to the land “from the bottom up.” Even without a political decision to extend 'Israeli' law formally, registering unclaimed land strengthens the state’s practical control.
Historical Context
Between 1917 and 1948, the land was under British mandate. Upon 'Israel’s' founding, unclaimed land became state property, while Jordan controlled Judea and Samaria and recorded some ownership rights. About one-third of land in the area was registered during these periods. Following 'Israel’s' capture of the territory in 1967, land registration was halted for nearly six decades.
Gradual Rollout
Justice Minister Yariv Levin, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and Defense Minister 'Israeli' Katz will oversee the registration effort. Due to its legal complexity, the process will be slow and partial. The government aims to register 15% of Area C by 2030, initially focusing solely on areas without existing ownership claims.
An administrative structure will be set up under the Land Registration and Settlement Authority, with regional offices managing local operations.
Countering Palestinian Authority Land Moves
A central goal is to halt parallel Palestinian Authority registration efforts in Area C, which officials say violate Oslo agreements. Government documents warn that the Palestinian process, though lacking legal recognition, is rapid and resource-intensive, risking future disputes and consolidating realities on the ground.
Economic and Legal Implications
Beyond sovereignty, authorities highlight the plan’s potential economic benefits, including secure land titles, property sales, mortgage lending, and reduced legal disputes. The government argues that long-term clarity in ownership will stabilize both legal and economic frameworks in the West Bank.
