Israel is weighing the option of annexing parts of the occupied West Bank in response to France and several other countries formally recognising a Palestinian state, according to multiple Israeli officials. The issue is expected to be raised during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet meeting on Sunday, which is officially set to focus on the ongoing Gaza war.
While discussions are still at a preliminary stage, officials said it remains unclear how far-reaching such a move might be — whether it would apply only to Israeli settlements, extend to certain areas such as the Jordan Valley, or be rolled out in stages. Any formal annexation would likely require a drawn-out legislative process in the Knesset, making immediate implementation uncertain.
The prospect of annexation is expected to ignite backlash from the Palestinians, who view the West Bank as central to their aspirations for a future state, as well as from Arab nations and Western allies. France, Britain, Australia, and Canada are among those preparing to formally recognise Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September — a step that has infuriated the Israeli leadership.
Netanyahu’s office has not confirmed whether he personally supports advancing annexation now. Similarly, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has remained silent on whether he discussed the issue with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during his recent Washington visit. The White House and State Department have also declined to comment, leaving Washington’s stance under President Donald Trump uncertain.
A previous pledge by Netanyahu to annex Jewish settlements and the Jordan Valley was shelved in 2020, when Israel instead moved to normalise relations with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain under the Abraham Accords brokered by Trump. Those agreements temporarily pulled annexation plans off the table, though members of Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition have continued to call for sovereignty over the West Bank, citing biblical and historical claims.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has not responded publicly to the latest reports. His office is under additional strain after the US barred him from travelling to New York for the upcoming UN leaders’ gathering, where several American allies intend to announce their recognition of Palestine.
The United Nations and most of the international community consider Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and its settlements there illegal, citing a 2024 ruling from the UN’s highest court that called for their withdrawal. Israel disputes this interpretation, arguing that the lands are “disputed” rather than occupied, pointing to both historical and security-based claims.
