Lawmakers strip High Court’s power to adjudicate West Bank land disputes

Knesset lawmakers vote to approve a bill stripping the High Court of Justice of its jurisdiction to hear cases regarding land disputes in the West Bank.

The bill requires Palestinians who claim ownership of land that has been built on by Israeli settlers to first petition the Jerusalem District Court.

Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, who introduced the bill, praises the bill’s passing, saying “the party of petitions filed to the High court by Palestinians extreme leftists” will come to an end.

Critics say the legislation promotes the annexation of the West Bank, and limits Palestinians’ access to the judicial system.