PARIS: Paris has declared that Israel’s annexation of the West Bank constitutes a serious violation of the two-state solution. The recent decisions made by Israel’s security cabinet, aimed at expanding control over the West Bank, including Areas A and B have been strongly condemned. The French Foreign Ministry stated that the decisions violate international law and undermine the Oslo Accords and the Hebron Protocol. Along with the approval of the E1 settlement project and its tenders, they effectively promote the annexation of the West Bank and pose a significant threat to the two-state solution. France warned that such decisions are being made at a time when international efforts are focused on implementing the second phase of the Gaza peace plan, noting that these resolutions could weaken peace efforts and lead to increased tensions. France has urged Israel to immediately revoke these decisions and reiterated its firm opposition to any form of annexation, reaffirming its commitment to a “just and lasting peace” in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and the principles of the New York Declaration. An American official also stated that the U.S. President opposes any Israeli actions to annex the West Bank, emphasizing that maintaining stability in the region is vital for both Israeli and regional security. Israel’s security-political cabinet agreed to a series of measures, including:
- Facilitating land purchases by settlers in the West Bank.
- Expanding the executive powers of Israeli authorities to enforce laws on Palestinians, including managing religious sites, monitoring environmental risks, and protecting archaeological sites.
- Revoking restrictions on land purchases by Jews in certain areas.
- Transferring the authority for issuing construction permits for settlements in parts of Palestinian cities, including Hebron, from municipal bodies affiliated with the Palestinian Authority to Israel.
A UN report indicates that settlement expansion reached its highest level since 2017 in 2025, with Israel approving the establishment of 19 new settlements just last December.
