Israel
Netanyahu to chair ministerial meeting on West Bank annexation
The prime minister has come under pressure from members of his coalition, and within his own party, to approve the measure
September 3, 2025 09:12
The prime minister has come under pressure from members of his coalition, and within his own party, to approve the measure
September 3, 2025 09:12Prime Minister Netanyahu is reportedly considering annexing the West Bank in response to the international push to recognise a Palestinian state.
According to several Hebrew media reports, Netanyahu will hold a meeting with a number of senior ministers tomorrow to discuss Israel's response to recognition efforts.
The application of what some lawmakers call "sovereignty" over the West Bank is understood to be one of the options on the table.
This concept is based on the claim that, when Israel was established out of the British Mandate, the territory was within its borders before being illegally occupied by Jordan and, therefore, that Israel has a legal right to it.
This argument is heavily disputed, with the UN maintaining that it is, in fact, Israel that is the occupying power in the West Bank.
Should Jerusalem assert sovereignty, it would impose both military and civil control of the territory, effectively absorbing it into Israel proper.
The reports suggest that Netanyahu will hold a discussion on the topic with Defence Minister Israel Katz, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
The latter pair, identified with Israel's far-right, are long-time advocates of annexation. The prospect has also gained support from many within the PM's own party, with all Likud ministers signing a letter in July calling for the application of sovereignty.
“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 sympathisers, 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.”
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