Amid Continued Israeli Raids… Knesset to Vote on West Bank Annexation - Jordan News

Jordan News

23-07-2025

A 14-year-old Palestinian boy, Ibrahim Nasser, was killed and another injured after Israeli occupation forces opened fire on them in the town of Qabatiya, south of Jenin in the northern occupied West Bank, according to medical sources reported by Al Jazeera. اضافة اعلان His killing on Tuesday evening came amid an ongoing military escalation, with Israeli forces continuing widespread raids across cities and towns in the West Bank. Early Wednesday morning, occupation forces raided Nablus and Tulkarm, along with surrounding villages. In Nablus, they imposed a siege on Rafidia Hospital, blocking the emergency department entrance and inspecting ambulances. The raids also extended to towns in Jenin, Bethlehem, and Hebron. Knesset Vote on Annexation In the midst of this military escalation, the Israeli Knesset is scheduled to vote on Wednesday on a draft resolution supporting the imposition of so-called 'Israeli sovereignty' over the West Bank—a move that would effectively begin the annexation process and constitutes a blatant challenge to international law and UN resolutions. According to Israel's Channel 12, the proposal was introduced by members of the ruling coalition before the Knesset's recess. It has garnered open support from senior ministers, including Energy Minister Eli Cohen, who declared: 'The time has come for sovereignty over the West Bank.' Sovereignty over the West Bank This political move mirrors the escalating field operations and coincides with a conference held Monday at the Knesset in West Jerusalem, attended by several right-wing ministers and lawmakers, particularly from the ruling Likud party, and former U.S. ambassador to Israel David Friedman. Israeli Justice Minister Yariv Levin said during the conference: 'Israel is facing a historic opportunity that must not be missed—to apply full sovereignty over Judea and Samaria,' referring to the West Bank using its biblical terminology. He added: 'We need swift action and must not surrender. Sovereignty should extend to all settlements.' Energy Minister Eli Cohen echoed similar rhetoric, saying: 'There will be only one state between the Mediterranean and the Jordan River—Israel. Sovereignty over the West Bank is a security necessity before being a political choice,' according to his claim. Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, who opened the conference, recalled that the Knesset had previously passed a resolution with 68 votes opposing the establishment of a Palestinian state, asserting that the West Bank represents 'Israel's front line of defense.' Knesset member Avichai Boaron, one of the proposal's supporters, argued that over 500,000 settlers currently live under what he described as "Jordanian law" and should be brought under Israeli law 'for the safety of Israel and its children.' Former U.S. Ambassador David Friedman also voiced support for the move, expressing regret that Israel had not pursued annexation during his tenure, calling sovereignty over the West Bank 'not a whim but a shared interest.' Escalation on All Fronts This latest step follows a steady increase in official calls for annexation, including a letter sent on July 2 by 14 Likud ministers and Knesset Speaker Ohana to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him to immediately approve annexation of the West Bank. Such a move would represent a violation of international law and UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, which call for ending the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories occupied in 1967, including the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Since the war on Gaza began on October 7, 2023, the Israeli military and settlers have intensified attacks in the West Bank, resulting in the killing of over 1,000 Palestinians and the injury of approximately 7,000 others, according to Palestinian data.