Tel Aviv: The Israeli Parliament (Knesset) has passed, in its first stage, a highly controversial bill seeking to annex the occupied West Bank into Israeli territory. The motion was narrowly approved with 25 votes in favor and 24 against, before being referred to the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee for further review.
The move has generated strong condemnation from the international community. Saudi Arabia issued a statement denouncing Israel’s expansionist policies, rejecting any attempts to annex Palestinian territories. Qatar also expressed its outrage, calling the bill a direct violation of Palestinian rights and reaffirming its commitment to a two-state solution. Qatar further urged the United Nations to intervene and prevent Israel from advancing such plans.
The vote took place while US Vice President JD Vance is in Israel, working to strengthen the Gaza ceasefire agreement. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that the annexation of the West Bank and increasing violence from Israeli settlers could derail peace efforts in Gaza. He reminded that former President Trump had opposed such unilateral actions and urged Israel to avoid policies that could destabilize the region.
