Israel has announced a controversial decision to resume land registration processes in a significant portion of the occupied West Bank, a move that critics warn could enable the state to seize vast areas for future development. The government decision, revealed on Sunday, revives the "settlement of land title" procedures that have been frozen in the territory since the Middle East war in 1967.
Under the new process, Israel will initiate land regulation in large parts of the West Bank. Once registration begins for a specific area, individuals or entities with ownership claims must provide documentary proof. Failure to do so could result in the land falling under state control, potentially paving the way for expanded Israeli development.
The Israeli anti-settlement organization Peace Now described the initiative as a "dramatic" step, labeling it a probable "mega land grab" from Palestinians. "This move is very dramatic and allows the state to gain control of almost all of Area C," said Hagit Ofran, director of Peace Now’s Settlement Watch programme.
Area C encompasses 60 per cent of the West Bank and remains under full Israeli military control, as outlined in agreements reached with the Palestinians in the 1990s. Peace Now contends that the registration drive targets this zone predominantly, threatening Palestinian land rights on a massive scale.
In response, Israel's Foreign Ministry issued a statement asserting that the Palestinian Authority has been "advancing illegal land registration procedures in Area C." The ministry, without providing evidence, framed Sunday's decision as a measure to promote greater transparency in land ownership disputes.
The resumption of these long-dormant processes marks a significant policy shift, potentially deepening Israel's hold over the West Bank amid ongoing tensions. Critics like Peace Now argue it undermines Palestinian claims, while Israeli officials position it as a corrective to unauthorized registrations by the Palestinian side.
