The Israeli government has approved a plan to advance land registration in Area C of the West Bank, which experts predict will lead to the dispossession of many Palestinians.
On Sunday, the Israeli government approved a plan to promote the registration of 15% of land in Area C of the West Bank over the next five years, allocating 244 million shekels for this effort. This initiative will initially allow Palestinians to prove their ownership of the land, and if they are unable to do so, the land will transfer to state ownership. Experts warn that this move could lead to the displacement of many Palestinians, as they might struggle to provide the necessary proof of land ownership in time.
The decision marks a significant policy shift as it represents the first time a governmental body in Israel will actively engage in the regulation of land in the West Bank. The Central Command has been instructed to empower the Justice Ministry to execute this plan, indicating a coordinated effort within the Israeli administration to change the status of land in this contested area. This initiative is likely to intensify existing tension between Israeli authorities and the Palestinian communities residing in Area C.
As the groundwork for this land registration progresses, the implications could be profound, affecting the demographic and territorial realities in the West Bank. The challenge of proving ownership will particularly impact many Palestinian families who may lack the formal documentation necessary to establish claims. In the broader context, this move raises significant questions regarding property rights and the future of Palestinian statehood aspirations.
