File Photo: Israeli troops deploy during a raid in Nablus city in the occupied West Bank. AFP
The bill to annex the West Bank, introduced by Avi Maoz, head of the far-right Noam party, passed by a narrow margin of 25–24. Another bill, submitted by Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman, to annex Ma’ale Adumim, a settlement housing about 40,000 Israelis east of Jerusalem, was approved 32–9.
According to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, Arab parties, the Democratic Party, and Degel HaTorah voted against the West Bank annexation bill, while lawmakers from Likud, Shas, and Kahol Lavan were absent.
The United Nations (UN) and most of the international community reject Israel’s annexation of occupied Palestinian territory as a “flagrant violation” of international law and UN resolutions. All Israeli settlements established in the occupied territories since 1967 are considered illegal under international law.
The votes coincided with a visit to Israel by US Vice President JD Vance, who sought to reinforce a Gaza ceasefire deal brokered by President Donald Trump. Trump has publicly opposed any move toward annexation, telling reporters in September, “I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. It’s not going to happen.”
Israeli media said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged lawmakers from his Likud party to abstain, with Likud later describing the votes as “another provocation by the opposition aimed at damaging our relations with the United States,” according to AFP.
Boaz Bismuth, chair of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, reportedly postponed debate on a contentious draft law on Haredi conscription to secure support for the annexation push, known in Israel as the “Sovereignty Law.”
In July 2025, the Knesset passed a non-binding declaration calling for the imposition of Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank, approved by 71 MKs but carrying no legal effect.
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