Israel mulls West Bank annexation in response to moves to recognise Palestine

Source: Reuters

Israel mulls West Bank annexation in response to moves to recognise Palestine

By Maayan Lubell
August 31, 2025 12:22 PM EDT Updated 11 hours ago

JERUSALEM, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Israel is considering annexation in the occupied West Bank as a possible response to France and other countries recognising a Palestinian state, according to three Israeli officials and the idea will be discussed further on Sunday, another official said.

Extension of Israeli sovereignty to the West Bank - de facto annexation of land captured in the 1967 Middle East war - was on the agenda for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet meeting late on Sunday that is expected to focus on the Gaza war, a member of the small circle of ministers said.

It is unclear where precisely any such measure would be applied and when, whether only in Israeli settlements or some of them, or in specific areas of the West Bank like the Jordan Valley and whether any concrete steps, which would likely entail a lengthy legislative process, would follow discussions.

Any step toward annexation in the West Bank would likely draw widespread condemnation from the Palestinians, who seek the territory for a future state, as well as Arab and Western countries. It is unclear where U.S. President Donald Trump stands on the matter. The White House and State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-mulls-west-bank-annexation-response-moves-recognise-palestine-2025-08-31/

Alternate link: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/israel-mulls-west-bank-annexation-135829508.html