Feb 8 • 16:58 UTC 🇶🇦 Qatar Al Jazeera

Has Israel begun to annex the West Bank through the law?

A discussion on Al Jazeera's "Behind the News" episode highlights the legal and political implications of Israel's decisions regarding the annexation of the West Bank, particularly concerning land purchases and building permits.

The episode of Al Jazeera's program "Behind the News" aired on February 8, 2026, examines the dangerous implications of the Israeli security cabinet's decisions regarding the occupied West Bank. It focuses specifically on the legalities of land acquisition, licensing for construction, and other actions that could facilitate Israel's annexation efforts. The discussions revolve around how such moves align with far-right Israeli plans to assert sovereignty over the region, raising concerns about the future of peace agreements, particularly those stemming from the Oslo Accords.

Experts in the episode, including diplomacy and conflict resolution professor Dalia Eryqat and Israeli affairs expert Adel Shadid, analyze the potential administrative and legal ramifications of Israel's actions. They highlight how the legitimacy of their governance could be fundamentally transformed, bolstering extremist policies. The discussion also addresses the Palestinian response options in light of these developments and considers the likely reactions from the international community, many of whom oppose annexation and settlement policies.

The episode serves as a critical alarm regarding the potential shift in the Israeli-Palestinian landscape, suggesting that the Israeli government's recent strategies may threaten the already fragile status quo. As policies become increasingly aligned with the far-right, the episode implies significant repercussions not just for Palestinians but for the broader geopolitical dynamics in the region, prompting urgent calls for international intervention and a re-evaluation of the peace process.

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