‘Israel’ officially approves West Bank land registration as 'state property'
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The government of ‘Israel’ has approved a proposal to register large areas of the occupied West Bank as “state property” for the first time since the occupation began in 1967.
According to public broadcaster Kan, the proposal was submitted by far right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, and Defense Minister Israel Katz.
“We are continuing the settlement revolution to control all our lands,” Smotrich said.
Most Palestinian land in the West Bank is not formally registered, as the process was halted by ‘Israel’ in 1967. Land registration establishes permanent ownership. International law states that an occupying power cannot confiscate or transfer its population into occupied territory.
Read more: 'Israel' targets 15% of area C in West Bank in first major land registration since 1967
The Palestinian Presidency described the decision as a “serious escalation,” saying it effectively nullifies signed agreements and contradicts United Nations Security Council resolutions, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa.
Katz called the move an “essential security and governance measure” aimed at ensuring control and enforcement in the area, 'Israeli' media reported.
Hamas condemned the decision, calling it an attempt to “steal and Judaise lands in the occupied West Bank by registering them as so called ‘state lands’.” It described the approval as “a null and void decision issued by an illegitimate occupying power.”
