West Bank: Palestinians say new Israeli steps amount to de facto annexation
West Bank: Palestinians say new Israeli steps amount to de facto annexation
West Bank: Palestinians say new Israeli steps amount to de facto annexation
The measures aim to increase Israeli control over the occupied West Bank in terms of property law, planning, licensing and enforcement.
Palestinians, Arab countries, Israeli anti-occupation groups and the UK have condemned new steps approved by Israel's security cabinet for the occupied West Bank, saying they amount to de facto annexation.
Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced the moves that would make it easier for Jewish settlers to take over Palestinian land. "We will continue to kill the idea of a Palestinian state," he said.
All settlements are seen as illegal under international law.
The measures - which are expected to be signed off by Israel's top military commander for the West Bank - aim to increase Israeli control over the territory in terms of property law, planning, licensing and enforcement.
They were announced three days ahead of a meeting between the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and US President Donald Trump in Washington.
Last year, settlements in the West Bank expanded at their fastest rate since monitoring began, the United Nations (UN) has said.