From the Liveblog of
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Likud MK submits bill to incorporate major West Bank settlements into metro Jerusalem
Sam Sokol is the Times of Israel's political correspondent. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
Likud lawmaker Dan Illouz is set to submit a bill incorporating parts of the West Bank surrounding the capital into a greater Jerusalem metropolitan area, establishing Israeli sovereignty over the territories.
Under Illouz’s bill, the settlements of Mitzpe Jericho, Beitar Illit, Givat Ze’ev, Maale Adumim and Efrat, as well as the Gush Etzion Regional Council, would be incorporated into the new “Jerusalem Metropolis” in which the “law, jurisdiction and administration of the state will apply.”
A number of other municipalities would be included within the new entity, not all of them in the West Bank, such as Beit Zayit and Mevaseret Zion.
The bill, which is explicitly aimed at changing the demographics of the capital and surrounding areas, would require the government to boost residential construction and industry in the greater Jerusalem metropolitan area and encourage young Israelis to live therein.
“The Jerusalem Metropolitan Bill is a vital step for strengthening Israel’s capital, improving infrastructure, and ensuring more effective governance for the surrounding communities,” Illouz told The Times of Israel.
“But beyond the practical benefits, it reflects a core principle: Israel must act based on what is right, not out of fear. Our sovereignty over Jerusalem and the Land of Israel is historically, legally, and morally justified. When I led the effort to shut down UNRWA, we faced heavy international pressure— but we stood firm, the law passed, and the threats amounted to nothing. The lesson is clear: When Israel stands strong, it wins. The same must happen with sovereignty over Judea and Samaria—this is our moment to act.”
Last month, an opposition bill that would apply Israeli sovereignty to the Jordan Valley — part of the West Bank — failed 32-56 in a preliminary reading due to opposition by members of the government.
A bill to annex the West Bank brought by Yisrael Beytenu in March 2023 was also defeated by the government.
