The Israeli Knesset approved, in a preliminary reading yesterday, Wednesday, a bill to impose Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank. Israeli media reported that “the Knesset approved in the preliminary reading a law imposing Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank, with 25 votes in favor and 24 votes against.” Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich commented, saying: “It is time for sovereignty now,” echoed by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. On July 23, the Knesset supported a proposal to annex the West Bank, with a majority of 71 out of 120 members, a move condemned by the Palestinian presidency. Hamas described it as void, illegal, and undermining peace and the two-state solution. Earlier, American media reported that over 40 Democratic members of the US Senate urged President Donald Trump to strengthen his opposition to Israel’s plans to annex parts of the West Bank. Other Western media revealed last month that President Trump promised Arab leaders during a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly that he would not allow Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to annex the West Bank.
