Israel’s cabinet approved a plan on Sunday to restart formal land registration in the occupied West Bank, marking the first such measure since Israel captured the territory in 1967.
The decision, advanced by far-right ministers including finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, justice minister Yariv Levin and defence minister Israel Katz, targets Area C of the West Bank, approximately 60% of the territory where Israel maintains full military and civilian control. The government allocated about $79 million for the 2026-2030 period. Under the framework, Israeli authorities will designate areas for registration where landowners must provide proof of ownership. Land without documentation could be classified as Israeli state land, making it available for settlement expansion.
Israeli officials defended the policy as an administrative step to bring clarity to land ownership and resolve disputes. The foreign ministry described it as a measure to counter unauthorised Palestinian Authority registration efforts. Palestinian officials condemned the decision as de facto annexation and a violation of international law, which prohibits an occupying power from altering the status of occupied land. The Palestinian Authority rejected the move outright.
