Netanyahu’s Government: Accelerating De Facto Annexation in the West Bank
In recent years, the Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has been making significant strides towards the de facto annexation of the West Bank. This has been a long-standing goal of the Israeli right-wing, and Netanyahu’s government has been building on a legal matrix to achieve this objective. While the international community has expressed concern over these actions, the Israeli government has continued to push forward, claiming that it is necessary for the security and stability of the region. In this article, we will explore the legal framework that Netanyahu’s government is using to accelerate the de facto annexation of the West Bank and the implications of this for both Israel and the Palestinian people.
The legal basis for Israel’s control over the West Bank can be traced back to the 1967 Six-Day War, when Israel captured the territory from Jordan. Since then, Israel has maintained a military occupation of the West Bank, citing security concerns and the need to protect its citizens. However, over the years, Israel has also been steadily expanding its presence in the West Bank through the construction of settlements, which are considered illegal under international law. These settlements have been a major obstacle to the peace process and have been a source of tension between Israel and the Palestinians.
Under Netanyahu’s government, the pace of settlement construction has increased significantly. In 2019 alone, over 5,000 new settlement units were approved, the highest number in a decade. This has been made possible by a series of laws and policies that have been put in place to facilitate the expansion of settlements and strengthen Israel’s control over the West Bank. One such law is the “Regularization Law,” which retroactively legalizes unauthorized settlement outposts built on private Palestinian land. This law has been heavily criticized by the international community, with the United Nations calling it a violation of international law.
Another policy that has been used to accelerate the de facto annexation of the West Bank is the “Greater Jerusalem” plan. This plan aims to expand the municipal boundaries of Jerusalem to include several settlements in the West Bank, effectively annexing them to Israel. This move has been met with widespread condemnation, as it undermines the possibility of a two-state solution and further entrenches Israel’s control over the West Bank.
In addition to these policies, Netanyahu’s government has also been using legal arguments to justify its actions. One such argument is that the West Bank is not occupied territory, but rather disputed territory. This argument is based on the belief that Israel has a legitimate claim to the West Bank, and therefore, it is not considered occupied under international law. This has been a controversial stance, with many legal experts and human rights organizations rejecting this interpretation of international law.
The implications of these actions by Netanyahu’s government are far-reaching. By accelerating the de facto annexation of the West Bank, Israel is effectively creating facts on the ground that will make it increasingly difficult to establish a viable Palestinian state in the future. This not only undermines the prospects for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but also goes against the international consensus on a two-state solution.
Moreover, the continued expansion of settlements and the annexation of the West Bank will only serve to further isolate Israel in the international community. The United Nations, the European Union, and other international bodies have repeatedly condemned Israel’s actions in the West Bank and have called for an end to settlement construction. By ignoring these calls and pushing forward with its agenda, Netanyahu’s government is risking Israel’s standing in the international arena.
In conclusion, Netanyahu’s government is using a combination of laws, policies, and legal arguments to accelerate the de facto annexation of the West Bank. This is a dangerous and short-sighted approach that not only undermines the prospects for peace but also puts Israel at odds with the international community. It is imperative that the Israeli government reconsiders its actions and works towards a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Only through dialogue and compromise can a peaceful resolution be achieved, and it is the responsibility of all parties involved to work towards this goal.
