Wed Oct 22 16:23:34 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten version as a news article:
Summary:
The Israeli Knesset has given preliminary approval to a bill that would extend Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank, a move considered de facto annexation and a violation of international law. The bill passed narrowly despite opposition from Prime Minister Netanyahu, who fears it will damage relations with the United States. The vote follows recent recognition of a Palestinian state by Western allies and comes amidst internal political pressure related to the Gaza ceasefire agreement. The move has drawn condemnation from Hamas and Jordan, who view it as undermining the two-state solution and infringing on Palestinian rights. A second bill proposing the annexation of the Maale Adumim settlement was also passed. While some see the vote as a serious step toward annexation, others view it as a symbolic gesture.
News Article:
Israeli Knesset Advances Bill to Annex West Bank, Sparking International Outcry
Jerusalem – In a controversial move condemned by international bodies and regional powers, the Israeli Knesset on Tuesday gave preliminary approval to a bill that would extend Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank. The bill, which passed by a narrow 25-24 vote, marks a significant step towards de facto annexation of the territory, a move widely considered a violation of international law and a blow to the prospect of a two-state solution.
The vote occurred despite opposition from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party, who expressed concerns that the bill would damage Israel’s relationship with the United States. A statement from Likud called the vote “another provocation by the opposition aimed at damaging our relations with the United States.”
“True sovereignty will be achieved not through a showy law for the record, but through proper work on the ground,” the statement said.
The bill will now move to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee for further deliberation.
The vote comes a month after former US President Donald Trump indicated he would not support Israeli annexation of the West Bank. It also coincides with a visit by US Vice President JD Vance to Israel to reinforce the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
The move has drawn swift condemnation. Hamas issued a statement calling the bill “the ugly face of the colonial occupation” and asserting that attempts to annex West Bank lands are “invalid and illegitimate.” Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the vote “in the strongest terms,” calling it a “blatant violation of international law” that undermines the two-state solution.
“The Ministry emphasized that Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories.”
A second bill proposing the annexation of the Maale Adumim settlement was also passed.
Some Israeli political analysts downplayed the significance of the vote, suggesting it is largely a symbolic gesture intended to express discontent with Prime Minister Netanyahu’s handling of the Gaza ceasefire.
The United Arab Emirates has previously warned that annexation of the West Bank would be a “red line,” indicating the potential for further diplomatic repercussions. The United Nations principal court in 2024 said that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories, including the West Bank, and its settlements there are illegal, and should be withdrawn as soon as possible.
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