Ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s high-stakes visit to the United States, the Israeli security cabinet has approved a series of sweeping measures that significantly tighten its grip on the West Bank. These moves, championed by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, represent a fundamental shift in the legal and administrative reality of the territory. 🏗️📜
Key Policy Shifts 🔍
The approved measures mark a major escalation in settlement activity and administrative control:
Enforcement in Areas A & B: Israel will expand its enforcement powers into areas previously designated under the Oslo Accords as being under Palestinian security control. 👮♂️🚧
Land Acquisition Restarted: The Land Acquisition Committee has been reactivated, allowing the state to proactively purchase West Bank land for settlement expansion. 📂🏗️
Hebron Municipal Power: Building and municipal powers have been granted to the Jewish settler minority in Hebron, bypassing the need for consultation with the Palestinian municipality. 🏘️⚡
Streamlined Purchasing: New measures make it easier for settlers to purchase land, aiming to further entrench the Jewish population in the region. 📝📈
Differing Perspectives 🗣️
The move has drawn sharp reactions from across the political spectrum:
Bezalel Smotrich: Stated the goal is to "normalize life" and "extinguish the idea of a Palestinian state." 🚫🇵🇸
Palestinian Authority: Condemned the actions as a "comprehensive war" and a practical implementation of annexation and displacement. 📢🚩
Peace Now (Watchdog): Accused the government of imposing "de facto annexation" that contradicts both Israeli national interests and U.S. policy. 📉⚖️
President Donald Trump: Previously stated he would not allow annexation, noting it would cost Israel U.S. support, though his administration's 20-point Gaza plan includes a pathway to Palestinian self-determination. 🕊️🇺🇸
As Netanyahu prepares to meet with U.S. officials, these developments set a tense backdrop for diplomatic discussions regarding the future of the region and the viability of a two-state solution. 🌍🤝
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