Israel Approves New Policy to Strengthen Control Over the West Bank

The Israeli security cabinet approved a new policy today, Sunday, that tightens control over the West Bank and facilitates settlers' procedures for purchasing land, a move that Palestinian officials consider to be a "de facto annexation."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the establishment of a Palestinian state as a security threat to Israel, while the Palestinian Authority viewed the decision as undermining the two-state solution and conflicting with international efforts to revive it.

Israel also reiterated its rejection of the International Court of Justice's opinion that deemed settlements in occupied territories illegal, affirming its commitment to its political and security positions.