Knesset Passes Symbolic West Bank Annexation Motion

The Israeli Knesset passed a non-binding motion by a 71-13 vote urging the annexation of Jewish settlements and the application of Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank. The motion, supported by Prime Minister Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition and some opposition members, is symbolic and does not change the territory’s legal status. It declares the West Bank as an inseparable part of Israel’s historical homeland but has drawn strong international condemnation, including from Türkiye, which called the vote 'illegitimate and provocative.' The Palestinian Authority also denounced the move as a dangerous escalation and an attack on Palestinian rights. Much of the global community considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law and views the motion as undermining prospects for a two-state solution. The resolution comes amid ongoing tensions and violence, complicating hopes for renewed diplomacy.