Hamas released a statement decrying the recent bill approved by the Knesset pushing for West Bank annexation, saying the move “reflects the ugly face of the colonial occupation” in a statement on Wednesday.
The statement called the bill a "flagrant violation of all relevant international laws and resolutions," while also arguing that Israel "insists on continuing its attempts to 'legitimize' settlements and impose Zionist 'sovereignty' over the occupied Palestinian territories."
It continued, "We affirm that the occupation's frantic attempts to annex West Bank lands are invalid and illegitimate and will not change the fact that the West Bank is Palestinian territory according to history, international law, and the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice issued in 2024."
What does the bill cover?
The bill, approved on Wednesday, is titled "Application of Israeli Sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, 2025" and the proposal stipulates that "the laws, judicial system, administration, and sovereignty of the State of Israel shall apply to all areas of settlement in Judea and Samaria.” and was initiated by MK Avi Maoz, leader of the Noam party.
The vote passed by a narrow margin of 25-24 following a heated discussion in the Knesset. The bill will now be transferred to the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, where it will need to be brought for discussion before undergoing a second and third vote in the plenum.
The timing of the vote on the bill coincides with US Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Israel, where he met with Netanyahu on Thursday morning.
Maoz said on Wednesday that he would proceed with going ahead with the vote regardless of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s request for the discussion to be postponed.
"By applying sovereignty to Judea and Samaria, we are correcting a historical wrong that is long overdue. Since the government has hesitated, it is our duty as Members of Knesset to act." Maoz told the plenum.
Education Minister Yoav Kisch told the plenum, "This government is the best one the settlement movement has ever had," he said.
"The time for sovereignty legislation will also come; we will lead it together with our American partners," he added.
Right-wing ministers have pushed for Israeli sovereignty in the entire area, drawing sharp criticism from leaders of various countries worldwide.
Political tensions surrounding the bill extend beyond Hamas. The United Arab Emirates said in September that any annexation of the West Bank would severely undermine the spirit of the Abraham Accords, which are set to normalize relations between the two countries.
Eliav Breuer and Keshet Neev contributed to this report.