Israel’s recent authorization of a contentious land registration procedure in the West Bank has ignited widespread international criticism and raised concerns about accelerated annexation of Palestinian territories. The government-approved measure, ratified late Sunday, designates disputed lands as “state property”—a move that Israeli authorities claim will establish transparency in resolving legal ownership conflicts.
The decision has drawn sharp rebukes from multiple Arab nations. Egypt characterized the action as a “dangerous escalation” intended to solidify Israeli dominance over occupied territories. Qatar similarly denounced the declaration, asserting it would systematically deprive Palestinians of their legitimate land rights. Jordan joined the chorus of condemnation, labeling the measure a violation of international law.
Israeli peace organization Peace Now condemned the policy as a “mega land grab” that advances the annexation agenda of Israel’s political right. Jonathan Mizrachi, the group’s co-director, explained that the registration process would exclusively affect Area C—comprising approximately 60% of the West Bank under Israeli administrative control. Mizrachi warned that numerous Palestinians would discover their traditionally held lands suddenly reclassified as state property under the new framework.
This development occurs alongside other recently approved measures strengthening Israeli authority in West Bank regions nominally administered by the Palestinian Authority under the Oslo Accords. These include provisions enabling direct land purchases by Jewish Israelis and expanded Israeli administration of religious sites.
The United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk expressed alarm over rapidly changing demographics in the occupied territories, noting that these policies systematically dispossess Palestinians of their lands. Despite international opposition, the U.S. administration has refrained from direct criticism of these recent Israeli initiatives. Currently, over 500,000 Israeli settlers reside in West Bank settlements considered illegal under international law.