Knesset passes motion backing West Bank annexation

Likewise, the debate was granted at the request of MKs Simcha Rothman, Limor Sonn Har Melech and Dan Illouz, all of whom come from coalition parties.

Only 13 MKs, drawn from the Arab-Israeli parties and the leftist Democrats, opposed the move.

It comes after a letter signed by all of Likud’s ministers earlier this month called on the PM to ensure that the annexation process had begun by the Knesset's summer recess, which begins on Sunday.

The collection of 15 ministers, as well as Knesset speaker Amir Ohana, urged Netanyahu to assert “Israeli sovereignty” over the territory, effectively absorbing it into the Jewish State.

“We ministers and members of Knesset call for applying Israeli sovereignty and law immediately on Judea and Samaria,” they wrote.

Judea and Samaria are the biblical names for the two main regions that make up the modern West Bank and are used officially by the Israeli government.

The petition continued: “This is the time to approve in government a decision to apply sovereignty.

"Following the State of Israel’s historic achievements in the face of Iran’s axis of evil and its sympathizers, the task must be completed and the existential threat from within must be eliminated, to prevent another massacre in the heart of the country.

"The strategic partnership, backing and support of the US and President Donald Trump have made it a propitious time to move forward with it now, and ensure Israel’s security for generations.

"The October 7 massacre proved that the doctrine of settlement blocs and the establishment of a Palestinian state in the remaining territory is an existential danger to Israel. It’s time for sovereignty.”

However, the government has not announced any plans to introduce any legislation to complete the process this week.

MKs will also vote today on a separate bill brought by Rothman, which would require them to refer to the territory as Judea and Samaria rather than the West Bank in future legislative text.