Israel is considering annexing parts of the occupied West Bank in retaliation for Western nations planning to recognize Palestinian statehood, a move that could escalate regional tensions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to discuss annexation options with top ministers on Thursday, responding to international pressure and domestic political demands.
The push for annexation comes as France, Australia, Canada, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Belgium prepare to formally recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly this month. Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister cited a duty to prevent genocide and announced sanctions, including a ban on imports from Israeli settlements, highlighting growing European dissent.
Netanyahu is evaluating various scales of annexation, ranging from limited takeovers of specific Jewish settlements to broader sovereignty over Area C, which comprises 60% of the West Bank and is under Israeli control. This area is critical for the territorial contiguity of a future Palestinian state, and annexation could severely undermine its viability and peace prospects.
Far-right coalition members, such as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, are advocating for extensive annexation to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state, arguing that partial measures would leave areas vulnerable to terrorism. However, this maximalist approach might require Israel to offer citizenship or residency to the approximately 3 million Palestinians in the West Bank, a contentious and complex issue.
The international community, including the United Nations, considers Israeli settlements illegal, and annexation would violate multiple UN Security Council resolutions. A phased annexation plan is also under consideration, potentially allowing Israel to adjust its stance in exchange for normalization with Saudi Arabia, which has conditioned peace on progress toward Palestinian statehood.
The United States has maintained strong support for Israel under President Trump but has expressed concerns about the war’s impact on global public opinion. Recently, the US denied visas to Palestinian officials for the UN assembly, a move coordinated with Israel to counter recognition efforts, though the US has not explicitly endorsed annexation.
Historically, Israel captured the West Bank in 1967, and settlements have been a persistent source of conflict. The Palestinians seek the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza for their state, a position supported by over 140 UN members, but annexation could harden positions and lead to increased violence.
The outcome of the upcoming meeting could shape Israel’s strategic decisions, with implications for regional stability, international diplomacy, and the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, potentially affecting relations with key allies and adversaries.
