A bill proposing the annexation of illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank was approved in a preliminary vote during the Israeli Parliament’s session on 22 October 2025. The bill seeks to extend Israeli law to Jewish settlements located on occupied Palestinian territory and thus constitutes a de facto annexation measure.
Nature of the Bill and Parliamentary Vote
The bill proposing the annexation of illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank was approved in a preliminary vote held in the Israeli Parliament on 22 October 2025. It stipulates the application of Israeli law to these settlements located on occupied Palestinian territory and is therefore regarded as a de facto annexation initiative.
The vote resulted in 25 votes in favor and 24 against in the 120-seat Israeli Parliament. For the bill to enter into force, it must pass three additional votes. During the same session, a second bill proposing the annexation of the Maale Adumim settlement in the West Bank was approved by a vote of 32 to 9. The vote took place during the visit of U.S. Vice President JD Vance to Israel.
The preliminary vote covers Palestinian territories in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967, and establishes a legal framework contrary to the international law definition of “occupied territory.” The initiative implies the extension of Israeli law to the West Bank, a move that under international law constitutes annexation.
According to the Israeli press, the bill’s sponsor is Avi Maoz, leader of the Noam party. Maoz stated that the bill represents “an appropriate moment to assert Israeli sovereignty,” but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the vote should not have taken place given the current diplomatic climate. Netanyahu and his Likud party either abstained or did not participate in the vote.
Following the vote, Netanyahu issued instructions to his coalition government that no further steps be taken on the West Bank annexation bill until a subsequent announcement. This decision came in response to diplomatic warnings from Washington.
International Reactions
U.S. Administration’s Response
U.S. President Donald Trump declared that if Israel annexes the occupied West Bank, the Washington administration would withdraw its support. In an interview with Time magazine, Trump stated: “This will not happen, this will not happen. Because I have given my word to Arab countries, this will not happen. You cannot do this now. If such a thing occurs, Israel will lose all U.S. support.” Trump also previously said, “Do not worry about the West Bank, Israel will do nothing there.”
U.S. Vice President JD Vance responded to the preliminary vote held during his visit to Israel. Speaking to reporters at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv after meetings in Jerusalem, Vance said: “If this is a political stunt, it is an incredibly foolish move. I also regard it as a personal insult. The West Bank will not be annexed by Israel. The Trump administration’s policy will continue to oppose such annexation. If some wish to hold symbolic votes, they may do so, but we are not satisfied with this development.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized the parliamentary vote as “a development threatening the peace process.” Rubio stated: “I believe President Trump has clearly indicated he will not support this, and we view it as a potential threat to any peace agreement.”
Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye characterized the Israeli Parliament’s move toward annexing the West Bank as “null and void.” The ministry’s statement declared that the bill approved by the Israeli Parliament constitutes a clear violation of international law and stated: “Israel’s move to annex the occupied West Bank contravenes international law and is null and void. The West Bank, including East Jerusalem, has been under Israeli occupation since 1967 and remains Palestinian territory. Israel must not be permitted to impose its unlawful presence in the West Bank. Türkiye will continue to defend the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and support efforts to establish an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, geographically unified and based on the 1967 borders.”
Joint Statement by the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and 15 Countries
A joint written statement was issued by Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Djibouti, Oman, Gambia, Palestine, Qatar, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Egypt, Nigeria, the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The statement condemned Israel’s approval of two bills aimed at imposing “Israeli sovereignty” in the occupied West Bank and its illegal settlements.
The joint statement reads: “The Israeli Parliament’s approval of two bills seeking to impose so-called ‘Israeli sovereignty’ in the occupied West Bank and its illegal settlements constitutes a flagrant violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, which condemns all Israeli practices aimed at altering the demographic character, nature and status of the occupied Palestinian territories since 1967, including East Jerusalem, as well as the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion affirming the illegality of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories and the invalidity of settlement construction and annexation measures in the West Bank. The parties reaffirm that Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories.”
The statement also refers to the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion titled “Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,” emphasizing the following finding: “The Court, in its advisory opinion, confirmed Israel’s obligation under international humanitarian law to ensure the basic needs of the population living under occupation in the Palestinian territories, including Gaza, and to facilitate and enable all forms of assistance, including those carried out by the United Nations and its agencies.”
The statement further calls on Israel to end its unilateral measures and urges the international community to assume its legal and moral responsibilities. It affirms that supporting the Palestinian people’s legitimate right to establish an independent and sovereign state with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the 4 June 1967 borders, is “the only path to achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the region.”
Statement by the United Arab Emirates
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) characterized the preliminary approval of two bills in the Israeli Parliament aimed at annexing the West Bank and the Maale Adumim settlement as a “dangerous escalation.” The statement reads: “This step constitutes a dangerous escalation and a flagrant violation of international law, undermining efforts to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the region.”
The ministry emphasized that the UAE “categorically rejects all unilateral measures aimed at altering the legal and historical status of the occupied Palestinian territories.” It further warned: “Any attempt to annex the West Bank will be categorically rejected, as it undermines the foundations of the two-state solution.”
The statement calls on the international community to assume its legal and political responsibilities and take necessary measures to ensure regional security and stability.
Reactions from Other Countries and Organizations
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar described the Israeli Parliament’s vote on annexing the West Bank as “a direct assault on the historical rights of the Palestinian people.” The statement reads: “Qatar most strongly condemns the Knesset’s approval of two laws seeking to impose Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank and a settlement area. This constitutes a clear violation of the historical rights of the Palestinian people and a challenge to international law.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia declared its rejection of all Israeli settlement and expansion violations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Jordan also stated that the proposed bills constitute a “clear violation of international law.”
In a statement by Hamas, the votes were described as “the ugly face of colonial occupation,” with the following assertion: “We affirm that Israel’s frantic efforts to annex West Bank territory are invalid and illegal.”
Situation in the Palestinian Territories
Since 1967, Israel has maintained military control over the West Bank. More than four million Palestinians live in the region. At the same time, approximately 600,000 Israeli settlers reside in more than 250 illegal Jewish settlements constructed on land seized from Palestinians in violation of international law.
