The Israeli security cabinet's recent decisions aim to fundamentally alter land management and registration in the occupied West Bank to expedite settlement expansion and expand demolition powers over Palestinian buildings.
On February 8, 2026, the Israeli security cabinet, known as the 'kitchen cabinet,' approved significant decisions that are poised to change the administration and registration of land in the occupied West Bank. These changes are designed to accelerate the expansion of Israeli settlements while easing the process for Israelis to exert control over these areas. Crucially, the decisions also intend to extend demolition powers to include Palestinian buildings located within areas categorized as 'A', which are ostensibly under Palestinian Authority jurisdiction. The implications of these measures reflect a systematic approach towards altering the legal and physical landscape of the West Bank, making long-standing legal obstacles easier to overcome.
Among the notable decisions is the repeal of Jordanian laws that previously prohibited Palestinians from selling property to Jews. Additionally, the Israeli government decided to declassify land registration records, effectively making them accessible and heightening scrutiny over land ownership. The transfer of planning and building authority in areas of Hebron to Israeli civil administration signifies a shift that may further empower Israeli authorities in areas traditionally managed by the Palestinian Authority. This attempted restructuring of governance in the West Bank could embolden Israeli settlers while posing significant risks of increased tensions with local Palestinian communities.
The motivations behind these decisions have been spearheaded by figures such as Defense Minister Yoav Galant and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. In their joint statement, they emphasize that these actions aim to dismantle barriers that have existed for decades, which they argue have impeded development and integration. However, critics unequivocally view these measures as a thinly veiled attempt to consolidate Israeli control over the West Bank and serve as a precursor to formal annexation. As these policies unfold, they are likely to have profound implications on Israeli-Palestinian relations and ongoing discussions around peace and territorial disputes in the region.
