Israeli 'Decisive Plan': Cabinet Decisions Legitimise De Facto Annexation of the West Bank

The Israeli Ministerial Committee for Political and Security Affairs, the "Cabinet," has approved a package of escalatory decisions aimed at changing the legal and civil reality in the occupied West Bank. These moves are intended to strengthen direct Israeli control and undermine the international and legal frameworks that prevailed before 1967, paving the way for a large-scale annexation process.

In a swift diplomatic response, eight Arab and Islamic countries announced their categorical rejection of these measures, describing them as an attempt to impose "illegitimate sovereignty" and expand settlement activity. These countries considered the Israeli steps a blatant violation of international law and a direct threat to what remains of the chances for achieving a two-state solution.

Legal experts believe that these decisions are the product of a systematic effort led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who is responsible for civil administration in the current government. This administration acts as a governmental arm seeking to manage all affairs of the West Bank, bypassing the previous administrative divisions defined by international agreements between areas (A), (B), and (C).

Hebron stands out as one of the main targets of these decisions, as planning and construction powers have been withdrawn from the Hebron municipality regarding the Ibrahimi Mosque (Cave of the Patriarchs) and Tel Rumeida neighborhood. These powers have been officially transferred to the Civil Administration, giving the occupation full ability to change the features of the sanctuary and divide it temporally and spatially to serve the settlers.

The measures also included the establishment of a new local authority within the Old City of Hebron, granting settlers independent urban and administrative powers. This step is a direct reinforcement of the settlement presence in the heart of Palestinian cities and a devastating blow to Palestinian legal jurisdiction over historical and religious centers.

In the context of land control, the Cabinet decided to declassify land records in the West Bank, allowing settlers and settlement associations access to Palestinian owners' data. Observers warned that this measure opens the door to widespread forgery operations for transferring ownership, especially since most land leakage operations occur through illegal means.

Measures did not stop there but also included the annulment of the Jordanian law that prevented the transfer of land ownership to foreigners in the West Bank. This legislative amendment aims to facilitate the purchase of land by international settlement entities or non-resident individuals, accelerating the pace of encroachment on the remaining areas of Palestinian land.

Among the most dangerous developments is granting the Civil Administration the authority to demolish Palestinian homes and structures in areas classified (A) and (B) under the pretext of protecting the environment or archaeological sites. This decision represents a complete nullification of the Oslo Accords and the Hebron Agreement of 1997, as there is no longer any legal immunity for areas supposedly under full Palestinian control.

Political readings indicate that these steps embody Smotrich's previously proposed "Decisive Plan," which aims to annex 62% of the West Bank. This plan is based on granting Palestinians very limited local self-rule in population enclaves, with absolute security and administrative control remaining in the hands of the occupation authorities.

Despite an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice considering the occupation illegal, the absence of effective international political tools prevents these policies from being curbed. Legal options before Israeli courts remain very limited given the extreme right-wing orientation of the judges, making political and field confrontation the only remaining path for Palestinians.

These decisions represent a step towards de facto annexation of the West Bank and embody the Decisive Plan adopted by the settler right-wing led by Smotrich.