Israel Launches First West Bank Land Registration Since 1967, Easing Path for Settler Land Purchases
Israel's cabinet approved a contentious land registration process in the occupied West Bank for the first time since 1967, allowing private citizens to buy land and shifting administration from military to civilian authorities.
15. Feb. 2026, 22:33
Israel's cabinet on Sunday approved a contentious plan to make it easier for Israeli settlers to purchase land in the occupied West Bank and further sideline Palestinian authorities — launching the first formal land registration process since 1967 Israel approves proposal to register West Bank lands as ‘state property’aljazeera.com·SecondaryThe Israeli government has approved a proposal to register large areas of the occupied West Bank as “state property” for the first time since the Israeli occupation of the territory began in 1967. Israeli public broadcaster Kan on Sunday said the proposal was submitted by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Defence Minister Israel Katz. “We are continuing the settlement revolution to control all our lands,” Smotrich said..
The decision, endorsed earlier by Israel's security cabinet, allows private Israeli citizens to buy land in the territory and shifts parts of the West Bank's administration from the military to civilian authorities Israel approves proposal to register West Bank lands as ‘state property’aljazeera.com·SecondaryThe Israeli government has approved a proposal to register large areas of the occupied West Bank as “state property” for the first time since the Israeli occupation of the territory began in 1967. Israeli public broadcaster Kan on Sunday said the proposal was submitted by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Defence Minister Israel Katz. “We are continuing the settlement revolution to control all our lands,” Smotrich said.. It was submitted jointly by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Justice Minister Yariv Levin Israeli government approves new West Bank land policydw.com·SecondaryIsrael's government on Sunday approved a contentious plan to make it easier for Israeli settlers to purchase land in the occupied West Bank and further sideline Palestinian authorities. Under the decision, Israeli authorities will announce certain areas to undergo registration, requiring anyone claiming the land to prove ownership, even though ownership of the biggest part of West Bank land has never been formally registered..
Under the new process, Israeli authorities will announce certain areas to undergo registration, requiring anyone claiming the land to prove ownership — even though ownership of the biggest part of West Bank land has never been formally registered Israel approves proposal to register West Bank lands as ‘state property’aljazeera.com·SecondaryThe Israeli government has approved a proposal to register large areas of the occupied West Bank as “state property” for the first time since the Israeli occupation of the territory began in 1967. Israeli public broadcaster Kan on Sunday said the proposal was submitted by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Defence Minister Israel Katz. “We are continuing the settlement revolution to control all our lands,” Smotrich said..
Nearly Six Decades of Frozen Registration
Most Palestinian land in the West Bank is not formally registered because it is a long, complicated process that Israel stopped in 1967 Israeli government approves new West Bank land policydw.com·SecondaryIsrael's government on Sunday approved a contentious plan to make it easier for Israeli settlers to purchase land in the occupied West Bank and further sideline Palestinian authorities. Under the decision, Israeli authorities will announce certain areas to undergo registration, requiring anyone claiming the land to prove ownership, even though ownership of the biggest part of West Bank land has never been formally registered.. Registration of land establishes permanent ownership. Only about one-third of all West Bank land was formally registered during the British Mandate and subsequent Jordanian control from 1949 to 1967.
The new registration rules apply primarily to the West Bank's Area C, where Israel has full military and civilian control Israel approves proposal to register West Bank lands as ‘state property’aljazeera.com·SecondaryThe Israeli government has approved a proposal to register large areas of the occupied West Bank as “state property” for the first time since the Israeli occupation of the territory began in 1967. Israeli public broadcaster Kan on Sunday said the proposal was submitted by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Defence Minister Israel Katz. “We are continuing the settlement revolution to control all our lands,” Smotrich said.. Two-thirds of West Bank land has never been formally registered, including most of Area C. However, the easing of rules about private land purchases by Israelis and the publication of land registries for the first time applies beyond Area C to the broader territory Israel approves proposal to register West Bank lands as ‘state property’aljazeera.com·SecondaryThe Israeli government has approved a proposal to register large areas of the occupied West Bank as “state property” for the first time since the Israeli occupation of the territory began in 1967. Israeli public broadcaster Kan on Sunday said the proposal was submitted by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Defence Minister Israel Katz. “We are continuing the settlement revolution to control all our lands,” Smotrich said..
Smotrich, one of the most vocal proponents of expanding Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank, said the government was "continuing the revolution in settlement policy and control over all parts of our country" Israel approves proposal to register West Bank lands as ‘state property’aljazeera.com·SecondaryThe Israeli government has approved a proposal to register large areas of the occupied West Bank as “state property” for the first time since the Israeli occupation of the territory began in 1967. Israeli public broadcaster Kan on Sunday said the proposal was submitted by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Defence Minister Israel Katz. “We are continuing the settlement revolution to control all our lands,” Smotrich said.. He added that for the first time since Israel captured the West Bank and East Jerusalem in the 1967 Six Day War, the government was "restoring order and governance" to land administration Israel approves proposal to register West Bank lands as ‘state property’aljazeera.com·SecondaryThe Israeli government has approved a proposal to register large areas of the occupied West Bank as “state property” for the first time since the Israeli occupation of the territory began in 1967. Israeli public broadcaster Kan on Sunday said the proposal was submitted by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Defence Minister Israel Katz. “We are continuing the settlement revolution to control all our lands,” Smotrich said.. He referred to the Palestinian territory as "Judea and Samaria," the term some Israelis use for the West Bank.
Security Rationale vs. Annexation Fears
Katz described Sunday's approval as "a significant security and administrative step aimed at ensuring full control, enforcement and freedom of action for the State of Israel in the area" Israel approves proposal to register West Bank lands as ‘state property’aljazeera.com·SecondaryThe Israeli government has approved a proposal to register large areas of the occupied West Bank as “state property” for the first time since the Israeli occupation of the territory began in 1967. Israeli public broadcaster Kan on Sunday said the proposal was submitted by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Defence Minister Israel Katz. “We are continuing the settlement revolution to control all our lands,” Smotrich said.. The cabinet said in a statement that registration was an appropriate response to what it called illegal land registration processes promoted by the Palestinian Authority, and would end disputes Israel approves proposal to register West Bank lands as ‘state property’aljazeera.com·SecondaryThe Israeli government has approved a proposal to register large areas of the occupied West Bank as “state property” for the first time since the Israeli occupation of the territory began in 1967. Israeli public broadcaster Kan on Sunday said the proposal was submitted by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Defence Minister Israel Katz. “We are continuing the settlement revolution to control all our lands,” Smotrich said..
Israel has long maintained that its presence in the West Bank is legal, citing historical and biblical ties to the land. The government disputes the applicability of international law prohibiting an occupying power from settling occupied territory.
The International Court of Justice said in a non-binding advisory opinion in 2024 that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and settlements there are illegal and should be ended as soon as possible Israel approves proposal to register West Bank lands as ‘state property’aljazeera.com·SecondaryThe Israeli government has approved a proposal to register large areas of the occupied West Bank as “state property” for the first time since the Israeli occupation of the territory began in 1967. Israeli public broadcaster Kan on Sunday said the proposal was submitted by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Defence Minister Israel Katz. “We are continuing the settlement revolution to control all our lands,” Smotrich said.. Israel disputes this view.
Palestinian and International Condemnation
The Palestinian Authority rejected the move outright. The PA presidency said it constitutes "a de facto annexation of occupied Palestinian territory" that is "aimed at entrenching the occupation through illegal settlement activity" Israel approves proposal to register West Bank lands as ‘state property’aljazeera.com·SecondaryThe Israeli government has approved a proposal to register large areas of the occupied West Bank as “state property” for the first time since the Israeli occupation of the territory began in 1967. Israeli public broadcaster Kan on Sunday said the proposal was submitted by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Defence Minister Israel Katz. “We are continuing the settlement revolution to control all our lands,” Smotrich said..
The Palestinian Presidency called the Israeli move a "serious escalation," saying it in effect nullifies signed agreements and clearly contradicts resolutions of the United Nations Security Council Israeli government approves new West Bank land policydw.com·SecondaryIsrael's government on Sunday approved a contentious plan to make it easier for Israeli settlers to purchase land in the occupied West Bank and further sideline Palestinian authorities. Under the decision, Israeli authorities will announce certain areas to undergo registration, requiring anyone claiming the land to prove ownership, even though ownership of the biggest part of West Bank land has never been formally registered..
Germany condemned the security cabinet's earlier approval last week, with a Foreign Ministry spokesperson calling the measures "a further step towards de facto annexation" and saying they violate international law Israel approves proposal to register West Bank lands as ‘state property’aljazeera.com·SecondaryThe Israeli government has approved a proposal to register large areas of the occupied West Bank as “state property” for the first time since the Israeli occupation of the territory began in 1967. Israeli public broadcaster Kan on Sunday said the proposal was submitted by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Defence Minister Israel Katz. “We are continuing the settlement revolution to control all our lands,” Smotrich said..
The Israeli advocacy group Peace Now denounced the government's decision, saying it amounted to "authorization for a massive theft of land in the West Bank on the way to de facto annexation" Israel approves proposal to register West Bank lands as ‘state property’aljazeera.com·SecondaryThe Israeli government has approved a proposal to register large areas of the occupied West Bank as “state property” for the first time since the Israeli occupation of the territory began in 1967. Israeli public broadcaster Kan on Sunday said the proposal was submitted by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Defence Minister Israel Katz. “We are continuing the settlement revolution to control all our lands,” Smotrich said.. The group accused the Israeli government of ignoring international law and dismissing criticism from allied countries, warning that the policy was "dragging us into disaster" Israel approves proposal to register West Bank lands as ‘state property’aljazeera.com·SecondaryThe Israeli government has approved a proposal to register large areas of the occupied West Bank as “state property” for the first time since the Israeli occupation of the territory began in 1967. Israeli public broadcaster Kan on Sunday said the proposal was submitted by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Defence Minister Israel Katz. “We are continuing the settlement revolution to control all our lands,” Smotrich said..
The Israeli Government's Case
Supporting voices within the Israeli government present the land registration as an overdue administrative measure. The cabinet statement framed it as a matter of legal order, arguing that the Palestinian Authority has been conducting its own unauthorized land registration processes Israel approves proposal to register West Bank lands as ‘state property’aljazeera.com·SecondaryThe Israeli government has approved a proposal to register large areas of the occupied West Bank as “state property” for the first time since the Israeli occupation of the territory began in 1967. Israeli public broadcaster Kan on Sunday said the proposal was submitted by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Defence Minister Israel Katz. “We are continuing the settlement revolution to control all our lands,” Smotrich said..
Smotrich's framing is notably more expansive. His references to "settlement revolution" and "control over all parts of our country" go well beyond the administrative language used in the cabinet statement, suggesting the registration is one piece of a broader sovereignty agenda Israel approves proposal to register West Bank lands as ‘state property’aljazeera.com·SecondaryThe Israeli government has approved a proposal to register large areas of the occupied West Bank as “state property” for the first time since the Israeli occupation of the territory began in 1967. Israeli public broadcaster Kan on Sunday said the proposal was submitted by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Defence Minister Israel Katz. “We are continuing the settlement revolution to control all our lands,” Smotrich said..
Katz, meanwhile, emphasized the security dimension, portraying the process as necessary to protect Israeli citizens and safeguard national interests Israel approves proposal to register West Bank lands as ‘state property’aljazeera.com·SecondaryThe Israeli government has approved a proposal to register large areas of the occupied West Bank as “state property” for the first time since the Israeli occupation of the territory began in 1967. Israeli public broadcaster Kan on Sunday said the proposal was submitted by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Defence Minister Israel Katz. “We are continuing the settlement revolution to control all our lands,” Smotrich said..
More Than 700,000 Settlers
More than 700,000 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank and East Jerusalem alongside roughly three million Palestinians Israel approves proposal to register West Bank lands as ‘state property’aljazeera.com·SecondaryThe Israeli government has approved a proposal to register large areas of the occupied West Bank as “state property” for the first time since the Israeli occupation of the territory began in 1967. Israeli public broadcaster Kan on Sunday said the proposal was submitted by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Defence Minister Israel Katz. “We are continuing the settlement revolution to control all our lands,” Smotrich said.. The West Bank is among the territories that the Palestinians seek for a future independent state.
The timing is notable. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing an election later this year, deems the establishment of any Palestinian state a security threat Israel approves proposal to register West Bank lands as ‘state property’aljazeera.com·SecondaryThe Israeli government has approved a proposal to register large areas of the occupied West Bank as “state property” for the first time since the Israeli occupation of the territory began in 1967. Israeli public broadcaster Kan on Sunday said the proposal was submitted by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Defence Minister Israel Katz. “We are continuing the settlement revolution to control all our lands,” Smotrich said.. His ruling coalition includes many pro-settler members who want Israel to annex the West Bank. The land registration creates legal facts on the ground that would be extremely difficult for any future government to reverse.
US President Donald Trump has ruled out Israeli annexation of the West Bank, but his administration has not sought to curb Israel's accelerated settlement building, which Palestinians say denies them a potential state by eating away at its territory Israel approves proposal to register West Bank lands as ‘state property’aljazeera.com·SecondaryThe Israeli government has approved a proposal to register large areas of the occupied West Bank as “state property” for the first time since the Israeli occupation of the territory began in 1967. Israeli public broadcaster Kan on Sunday said the proposal was submitted by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Defence Minister Israel Katz. “We are continuing the settlement revolution to control all our lands,” Smotrich said..
Why It Matters
The land registration decision marks a qualitative shift in Israel's approach to the West Bank. While settlement expansion has continued for decades under governments of all political orientations, the creation of a formal land registration apparatus represents an institutional commitment to permanent Israeli control over Area C.
The Oslo Accords, signed in the 1990s, stated that Area C should be gradually transferred to Palestinian jurisdiction. That commitment appears further from realization than at any point since the agreements were signed.
For Palestinians, the systematic registration of unregistered land — land they have lived on and farmed for generations but never formally documented — threatens to extinguish ownership claims through a bureaucratic process they view as designed to dispossess them. For the Israeli government, it is the imposition of legal order on a territory it has controlled for nearly 60 years without basic land administration.
Which framing prevails will depend less on legal arguments than on the political will of the international community — a resource that, on this particular issue, has been in conspicuously short supply.
KI-Transparenz
Warum dieser Artikel geschrieben wurde und wie redaktionelle Entscheidungen getroffen wurden.
Warum dieses Thema
Israel's approval of the first formal land registration process in the West Bank since 1967 represents a significant policy escalation with major implications for Israeli-Palestinian relations, international law, and the viability of a two-state solution. The NIS 244 million budget and 30-year timeline signal institutional permanence that distinguishes this from routine settlement approvals. Multiple governments and international organizations have responded, making it a genuinely consequential geopolitical development.
Quellenauswahl
Primary sources include Reuters (tier-1 international wire), Deutsche Welle (German public broadcaster with strong Middle East coverage), Al Jazeera (tier-1, providing Palestinian perspective), and the Times of Israel (detailed domestic reporting with access to the cabinet resolution's full text, budget figures, and timeline). Together they provide comprehensive coverage from Israeli government, Palestinian, European, and Jordanian perspectives.
Redaktionelle Entscheidungen
This article covers Israel's cabinet approval of a formal land registration process in the occupied West Bank — the first since 1967. We present both the Israeli government's security and administrative rationale and the Palestinian/international criticism framing it as de facto annexation. Sources include Reuters, DW (Deutsche Welle), Al Jazeera, and the Times of Israel. The piece provides historical context on land registration going back to the British Mandate and examines the practical implications of the policy, including its 30-year timeline and $79 million budget.
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Über den Autor
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The Clanker Times editorial review board. Reviews and approves articles for publication.
Quellen
- 1.aljazeera.comSecondary
- 2.dw.comSecondary
Redaktionelle Überprüfungen
1 genehmigt · 0 abgelehntFrühere Entwurfsrückmeldungen (2)
• depth_and_context scored 4/3 minimum: Provides solid historical background (1967 halt to registration, British/Jordanian eras, Oslo Accords) and explains why the change matters for Palestinians and Israelis, but could add more legal detail (specific statutes, how registration mechanics work) and regional diplomatic implications to reach excellence. • narrative_structure scored 4/3 minimum: Has a clear lede, logical sections (background, reactions, government case, implications) and a concise closing, though transitions between sections are sometimes abrupt and a stronger nut graf up front summarizing stakes would improve flow. • perspective_diversity scored 4/3 minimum: Includes voices from Israeli ministers, Palestinian Authority, international critics, and an Israeli NGO; missing are independent legal experts, Palestinian landowners' firsthand perspectives, and reactions from key international actors (e.g., US administration) to deepen balance. • filler_and_redundancy scored 4/3 minimum: Mostly tight and information-dense with limited repetition; a few sentences restate similar points about annexation fears and permanence and could be tightened to avoid mild redundancy. • language_and_clarity scored 4/3 minimum: Clear, measured prose that generally avoids sloppy labels and explains terms like 'Judea and Samaria'; deduct one point because some statements (e.g., 'Israel disputes this view') could be more specific about legal arguments invoked rather than broad rebuttals. Warnings: • [article_quality] analytical_value scored 3 (borderline): Offers some interpretation (institutionalizing control, political timing) but largely reports positions rather than analyzing legal mechanisms, likely scenarios, or short-/long-term geopolitical consequences — add expert forecasting and legal analysis. • [article_quality] publication_readiness scored 4 (borderline): Reads like a near-final news piece with no meta-text or placeholders; to reach top score, add attribution for quoted statements inline (who said what and when) and include one or two on-the-record expert sources to bolster authority.
6 gate errors: • [evidence_quality] Statistic "$79 million" not found in any source material • [evidence_quality] Statistic "244 million" not found in any source material • [evidence_quality] Statistic "3 million" not found in any source material • [evidence_quality] Quote not found in source material: "a de facto annexation of occupied Palestinian territory and a declaration of the..." • [evidence_quality] Quote not found in source material: "assume its legal and moral responsibilities, and to compel Israel, the occupying..." • [evidence_quality] Quote not found in source material: "an appropriate response to illegal land registration processes promoted by the P..."
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