West Bank Annexation

Foreign Ministry denies annulment of Hebron Agreement, contradicting Smotrich's announcement

Under the 1997 Hebron Agreement, the Hebron Municipality oversaw planning and construction across the city, including the Tomb of the Patriarchs and the adjoining Ibrahimi Mosque.

|ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
The Ibrahimi mosque or the Tomb of the Patriarchs, in the West Bank city of Hebron, July 3, 2024.
FORMER OTZMA YEHUDIT chair Michael Ben-Ari (left) and Zehut party leader Moshe Feiglin (right) agree to run in a joint list ahead of elections, Wednesday, May 7, 2026.

Zehut party leader to run in elections on joint list with ex-Otzma Yehudit chair

The party said the alliance was born out of the understanding that the faith-based nationalist public in Israel currently "needs a strong political home." 

|ByKESHET NEEV
FINANCE MINISTER Bezalel Smotrich holds a press conference ahead of the vote on the state budget at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, March 29, 2026.

Smotrich: US supports Israeli West Bank settlement expansion - interview

In past efforts by Israel to expand control in the West Bank, the US has called for maintaining stability in the area, adding that US President Donald Trump has not backed total annexation.

|ByKESHET NEEV
The IDF detained a group of CNN journalists in the West Bank on Friday, as shown by footage from the US-based news outlet. March 28, 2026.

IDF Chief of Staff suspends battalion that accosted CNN news team in West Bank

The battalion’s operational deployment will be suspended until it has undergone “a process aimed at reinforcing its professional and ethical foundations,” the IDF wrote. 

|ByDANYA SAPERSTEIN

Netanyahu urged Smotrich to hold off on West Bank annexation during Vance’s visit - KAN

"When the vice president, Vance, is visiting here, you don’t stick a finger in his eye,” Netanyahu's office reportedly said in a message to Smotrich.

OCTOBER 23, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich attend vote on the state budget at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, March 13, 2024.

'A clear violation of int’l law': Hamas decries Israeli bill proposing West Bank annexation

The statement calls the bill "to annex the West Bank and impose sovereignty over the so-called Ma'ale Adumim settlement" a "flagrant violation of all relevant international laws and resolutions."

OCTOBER 22, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Gunmen stand guard at the funeral of Marwan Issa, a senior Hamas deputy military commander who was killed in an Israeli airstrike during the conflict between Israel and Hamas, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in the central Gaza Strip, February 7, 2025.

Three human rights orgs. petition against E1 advancements

The petition aims to delay development in the controversial West Bank territory between Jerusalem and Ma'aleh Adumim.

OCTOBER 9, 2025BySARAH BEN-NUN
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich interacts with a man, on the day of a press conference regarding settlements expansion for the long-frozen E1 settlement, that would split east Jerusalem from the West Bank, near the Israeli settlement of Ma'aleh Adumim, August 14, 2025.

Annexation and isolation: Does the Right have a vision for Israel's future? - opinion

Does the Right believe that the Palestinians will go along with the annexation of the West Bank?

SEPTEMBER 30, 2025ByTOVA HERZL
FINANCE MINISTER Bezalel Smotrich announces plans to approve housing between Jerusalem and Ma’aleh Adumim last month. The decision precludes the establishment of a contiguous Palestinian entity, says the writer.

UAE presses Netanyahu to back Trump Gaza plan, warns against West Bank annexation

The UAE warned Netanyahu that annexation would shut the door to further Israeli normalization with leading Arab and Muslim nations.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2025ByREUTERS
U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., September 29, 2025.

Now is 'not the right time' for West Bank annexation says Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu met with prominent leadership from the West Bank prior to his meeting with Donald Trump.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
IDF soldiers operate in the West Bank, September 8, 2025.

Annexing West Bank could harm Abraham Accords with UAE, Emirati official says - N12

Zayed will emphasize the UAE’s commitment to the Abraham Accords as a cornerstone for a better future in the region, while also underscoring the UAE’s deep concern over recent Israeli actions.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Washington DC, USA - September 15, 2020: Benjamin Netanyahu, Donald Trump, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, and Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan attend the Abraham Accords ceremony in The White House.

Iran 'snapback' sanctions reimposed, E3 confirms, Russian FM accuses Israel of 'blowing up' region

'Hamas has no regrets of Oct. 7,' terror leader says • IDF asserts control of over half of Gaza City • Trump says he had good talks with Netanyahu on Gaza

SEPTEMBER 27, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
IDF troops operate in the Gaza Strip on September 27, 2025.

Israel at War Day 720: What's happening in Gaza, West Bank?

Tony Blair reportedly to take leadership role in Gaza • Iran says IAEA deal hinges on no hostile actions, including UN sanctions snapback • Trump says he had good talks with Netanyahu on Gaza.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at U.N. headquarters in New York City, US, September 26, 2025

Trump says he had good talks on Gaza, including with Netanyahu

Trump reports progress in Gaza talks with Netanyahu.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2025ByREUTERS, AMICHAI STEIN
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the 80th United Nations General Assembly, in New York City, New York, U.S., September 23, 2025.