In a move that has sparked widespread international outrage, the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) has approved in its first stage a controversial and illegal bill aimed at annexing the occupied West Bank into Israel. According to Arab media, the legislation passed with a narrow margin—25 votes in favor and 24 opposed—within the 120-seat Knesset, indicating deep political division even inside Israel over the annexation push.

The bill has now been referred to the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee for further review, where it will undergo additional scrutiny before being brought back for final approval. If enacted into law, it would represent one of the most aggressive expansionist steps taken by Israel in decades, directly violating international law, United Nations resolutions, and the core principles underpinning ongoing peace efforts in the region.

Strong Reactions from the Arab World

Saudi Arabia swiftly condemned the Israeli Parliament’s move, calling it a blatant attempt to impose illegal sovereignty over occupied Palestinian land. In a statement issued by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Riyadh strongly rejected Israel’s settler-colonial and expansionist ambitions, warning that such actions severely undermine any hopes for a peaceful resolution to the Palestinian issue.

Meanwhile, Qatar also denounced the bill, describing it as a clear attempt to strip Palestinians of their legitimate rights. The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated Doha’s firm support for the two-state solution and urged the United Nations to intervene and halt what it called Israel’s “expansionist plans” before irreversible damage is done. Qatar emphasized that the annexation would escalate tensions further, placing the entire region at greater risk of instability.