According to Al Jazeera, on August 26, 2025, Israeli Settlement Minister Orit Strook has called for the country to begin annexing the occupied West Bank within the current Jewish calendar month of Elul, which has just started.
Strook, a member of the far-right Religious Zionist Party aligned with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, emphasized the urgency of applying Israeli sovereignty over the territory.
Speaking to Israel Hayom, Strook advocated for an immediate halt to construction of the separation wall in the West Bank to better accommodate Israel’s expanding borders.
“Only after the application of sovereignty and the determination of Israel’s new official borders, will it be possible to consider whether and along what route, security measures should be created that will allow protection against potential terrorism from the Arab residents of Judea and Samaria,” Strook stated, using the Israeli term for the West Bank.
Her comments signal a sharp shift in approach, suggesting that Israel’s priority should be establishing formal control over the entirety of the West Bank before addressing security infrastructure.
This move aligns with long-standing ambitions within some Israeli political circles to assert full control over the territory, disregarding Palestinian claims.
Annexation of the West Bank would contravene international law, particularly the prohibition of acquiring territory by force, a principle rooted in post-World War II international agreements.
The move is likely to spark intense global condemnation and escalate tensions in one of the most sensitive regions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Strook’s proposal comes amid ongoing debates within Israel about the future of the West Bank and Israel’s borders.
The issue remains highly contentious, with the Palestinian Authority and much of the international community opposing Israeli sovereignty claims over occupied lands.
As Israel approaches this critical period, the announcement raises concerns about potential shifts in regional dynamics and prospects for peace in the long-disputed territory.
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