Join our Community
Support ToI and remove all ads
Learn more
×

West Bank annexation

Archaeologists from Bar-Ilan University, in cooperation with the staff officer of archaeology, excavated the site of Sartaba/Alexandrium in the Jordan Valley in February 2025. (Yodan Flaytman, staff officer for archaeology in Judea and Samaria)
May 24, 2026, 7:09 pm
West Bank, Gaza antiquities bill breaks Israel’s international obligations – legal official
As Knesset committee gears up to bring legislation for final votes in plenum, panel’s legal adviser warns it reinforces ‘creeping annexation’ claims; army also opposes it
By Rossella Tercatin
The archaeological site of Sebastia in the West Bank, in a handout photo issued on November 20, 2025. (COGAT)
May 19, 2026, 9:28 am
Knesset panel fast-tracks West Bank antiquities bill seen as de facto annexation
Legislation aims to create new civilian body beyond Green Line, as heritage minister pushes to appoint ideological ally with limited experience to run Israel Antiquities Authority
By Rossella Tercatin
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich at an event in Sa-Nur in the West Bank on April 19, 2026. (Courtesy Bezalel Smotrich)
April 19, 2026, 6:35 pm
Smotrich urges PM to order the IDF to ‘prepare for the full occupation’ of Gaza
Far-right minister repeats call for rebuilding settlements in Strip; Likud minister calls reestablishment of West Bank settlement evacuated in 2005 ‘a moment of historical justice’
By Sam Sokol
Jewish residents are seen on a rooftop in the West Bank city of Hebron after moving in, February 20, 2026. (Wisam Hashlamoun/Flash90)
February 24, 2026, 10:27 am
Nearly 20 nations slam Israel’s West Bank moves as step toward ‘de facto annexation’
Statement condemns decision to facilitate Jewish settlement as a ‘direct attack on the viability of the Palestinian state and the implementation of the two-state solution’
By ToI Staff and Agencies
A general view of the newly established Jewish settlement of Yatziv in the Gush Etzion area of the West Bank, January 19, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
February 19, 2026, 4:46 am
Expansion of West Bank rule appears to shift ‘creeping annexation’ into higher gear
As government makes it easier to purchase property and for state to take control of lands, both critics and boosters say the idea of Israel’s control being temporary is a thing of the past
By Jeremy Sharon
Palestinians visit the Roman historical site in the West Bank town of Sebastia, November 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)
February 18, 2026, 4:20 pm
Daily Briefing Feb. 18 – Israel moves to take over biblical sites in West Bank
Settlements reporter Jeremy Sharon on a push for Israeli administrative control over Judea and Samaria and religion reporter Rossella Tercatin on egalitarian prayer at the Western Wall
By Amanda Borschel-Dan, Jeremy Sharon and Rossella Tercatin
The illegal settlement farming outpost of Hesed Olam in the central West Bank where a 'conference of appreciation' for illegal farming outposts was held by the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council, February 2, 2026. (Courtesy, Arutz 7)
February 15, 2026, 9:31 pm
Cabinet OKs new West Bank land registration process, critics decry ‘de-facto annexation’
An initial NIS 244 million is allocated for land registration for years 2026-2030, process could take 30 years. Levin, Smotrich laud ‘deepening grip’ on West Bank
By Jeremy Sharon
Energy Minister Eli Cohen speaks during a plenum session at the assembly hall of the Knesset, in Jerusalem, January 12, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
February 10, 2026, 10:33 pm
Likud minister says latest West Bank measures amount to ‘de facto sovereignty’
German envoys to Israel and Palestinian Authority join international condemnation of policies extending control over West Bank, insisting area key part of future Palestinian state
By AP, Nava Freiberg and ToI Staff
This picture shows an Israeli flag fluttering above the Israeli settlement of Beit Romano (unseen), with Palestinian buildings in the background, in the West Bank city of Hebron on February 9, 2026. (HAZEM BADER / AFP)
February 10, 2026, 6:44 am
Trump stresses opposition to annexation after Israel takes steps to expand West Bank grip
Muslim states, including allies and adversaries, call security cabinet decision illegal and a ‘dangerous escalation’; EU: It’s a ‘step in the wrong direction’
By Jacob Magid
An Israeli family is seen at the outpost of Yahish Zion, near the settlement of Psagot, in the West Bank, on February 4, 2026. (Dor Pazuelo/Flash90)
February 8, 2026, 8:35 pm
Security cabinet okays deepened Israeli control of West Bank; Hamas urges ‘escalation’
Katz and Smotrich announce moves to expand Israeli oversight of areas A and B, let Israelis buy land in West Bank, and boost Israeli authority over Tomb of the Patriarchs compound
By Nava Freiberg and ToI Staff
A tent camp for displaced Palestinians in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, December 23, 2025. (AP/Abdel Kareem Hana)
December 24, 2025, 1:24 pm
Daily Briefing Dec. 24: Day 810 – Why Israel charges UN’s new famine report on Gaza is skewed
Settlements and legal reporter Jeremy Sharon weighs in on an uptick of West Bank settlement recognition, renewed buzz about Jewish settlement of Gaza and the High Court’s AG ruling
By Amanda Borschel-Dan and Jeremy Sharon
Illustrative: Saudi Prince Turki al-Faisal talks to the Associated Press in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, November 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
December 23, 2025, 1:17 pm
Daily Briefing Dec. 23: Day 809 – Saudi prince tells ToI Israel needs to start being ‘normal’
US bureau chief Jacob Magid on his interview with Prince Turki bin Faisal, US Ambassador Huckabee’s rare meetup with the PA, and why US Vice President Vance feels Americans aren’t antisemitic
By Amanda Borschel-Dan and Jacob Magid
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas attends a joint statement with French President Emmanuel Macron (not in picture) at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, November 11, 2025. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP)
November 15, 2025, 11:56 am
Unpopular and politically weak, PA’s Abbas struggles for a role in Gaza
Palestinian leader, who has not held elections in nearly 2 decades, is sidelined in Strip as critics say he put PA, notorious for corruption, ‘hand-in-hand with Israeli occupation’
By Agencies and ToI Staff
US Marine soldiers walk past a mural of a coffee shop near Kibbutz Kfar Aza, southern Israel, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
October 28, 2025, 1:45 pm
Daily Briefing Oct. 28: Day 753 – US and ceasefire partners debate what’s next in Gaza
US bureau chief Jacob Magid discusses different approaches to moving forward in Gaza and the US anger over a West Bank annexation vote in the Knesset
By Jessica Steinberg and Jacob Magid
MK Avi Maoz, left, and Likud head Benjamin Netanyahu after signing a coalition deal on November 27, 2022. (Courtesy, Likud)
October 26, 2025, 10:10 pm
As elections near, annexation fiasco shows Netanyahu losing control of his coalition
PM tried hard to prevent the preliminary approval of two West Bank annexation bills, knowing he risked irritating the Trump administration, but simply couldn’t muster the leverage
By Sam Sokol
Load More
Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community
Paying ToI Community members are invited to comment on articles
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By joining you agree to the terms and conditions
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community
Only ToI Community members can comment below articles
Forgot your password? / Send me a login link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.
Back to top
Never miss breaking news on Israel
Get notifications to stay updated
You're subscribed
image
Register for free
and continue reading
Registering allows you to manage your newsletters and alerts and helps us improve your experience. It takes just a few seconds.
Already registered? Enter your email to sign in.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. Once registered, you’ll receive our Daily Edition email for free.
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Register
I forgot my password / Send me a sign in link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.