Jerusalem / Washington / Ramallah — July 2, 2025
Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Yariv Levin has called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to capitalize on what he described as a “historic opportunity” to formally annex the occupied West Bank. His statement comes amid a surge in settlement activity and mounting friction with international allies over the two-state solution.
During a cabinet meeting, Levin declared that the current political climate and security conditions present the perfect moment to “seize our chance” and extend Israeli sovereignty over key parts of the West Bank aljazeera.com.
This declaration follows July’s approval of 22 new settlements and the legalization of outposts, a move that Defense Minister Israel Katz lauded as a “historic moment” aimed at strengthening Israel’s hold on the territory reuters.com+2time.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2. The expansion has accelerated in recent months, spurring warnings from the UN and human rights groups that such actions violate international law and threaten the viability of a future Palestinian state tass.com+15reuters.com+15reuters.com+15.
Internal Push for Annexation Gains Momentum
Levin’s comments echo longstanding ambitions within the ruling coalition. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has previously championed annexation, directing authorities to prepare infrastructure and legal frameworks in anticipation of applying sovereignty as early as 2025 pbs.org+9reuters.com+9tass.com+9.
The cabinet’s tally of new settlements reinforces a shift from de facto to de jure control. Netanyahu’s government has already extended Israeli law to settlements, declaring this “creeping annexation” necessary to stabilize Jewish communities in disputed areas theguardian.com+6en.wikipedia.org+6reuters.com+6. Levin argues that the time is ripe to formalize this claim, claiming it aligns with national security imperatives.
Palestinian and International Backlash
Palestinian leaders have strongly condemned Levin’s call, branding annexation as a violation of international law and a blow to prospects for a two‑state resolution. Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for President Mahmoud Abbas, warned that unilateral sovereignty moves would dismantle security cooperation and fuel instability reuters.com.
The UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, reiterated that settlement expansion—and by extension annexation—constitutes a war crime under the Geneva Conventions, urging an immediate halt reuters.com. Meanwhile, human rights advocates have decried the legitimacy of these steps, referencing UN Security Council resolutions such as 2334 that label settlements illegal en.wikipedia.org.
Diplomatic Isolation Risks
Israel’s broader relations face pressure. Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the EU have all signaled that annexation would undermine regional diplomacy, derail peace initiatives, and complicate normalization pacts, including potential ties between Israel and Gulf Arab states .
The U.S. has remained guarded. While former Trump officials signaled tolerance for creeping annexation, the current administration has expressed concern, suggesting that overt moves could breach long-standing U.S. policy supporting a negotiated solution and not unilateral territorial claims.
Political Calculations in Jerusalem
Prime Minister Netanyahu appears cautious. Though his Likud party has shown openness to annexation, he has avoided committing to timelines, mindful of coalition dynamics and international backlash. Levin and other hard‑liners are pushing Netanyahu to leverage the current surge in settler momentum—hoping delay will weaken their hand .
What Happens Next?
As settlement construction continues, pressure is mounting on Netanyahu to decide whether to proceed formally. Annexation would require detailed mapping of which areas would fall under Israeli sovereignty and how to incorporate Palestinian residents—issues fraught with legal and human rights complexities.
The coming weeks could reveal cabinet steps toward legislative or executive action. With international pressure mounting, Netanyahu’s decision may shape Israel’s future borders—and its diplomatic standing— for years to come.