JERUSALEM, Israel: Israel’s security cabinet approved a series of measures on Sunday designed to simplify land purchases by settlers in the West Bank and strengthen enforcement capabilities for Israeli authorities, Israeli media reported.
The West Bank is part of the territories Palestinians seek for a future independent state. Much of the area remains under Israeli military control.
While some zones operate under limited Palestinian self-rule through the Western-backed Palestinian Authority (PA), according to Reuters.
According to Israeli news outlets Ynet and Haaretz, citing statements from Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defence Minister Israel Katz, the measures include revising longstanding regulations that have previously limited Jewish private citizens from purchasing land in the West Bank.
The changes also reportedly involve granting Israeli authorities expanded administration over certain religious sites and enhancing oversight in areas under PA administration, specifically in matters of environmental protection, water management, and preservation of archaeological sites.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas responded by calling the measures dangerous and illegal, suggesting they could amount to de-facto annexation.
