The European Union today called on Israel to reverse its recent decision to register large areas of the West Bank as "state property", recalling that the annexation is illegal.
EU spokesman Anouar El Anouni told the press conference that the recent Israeli decision to approve the launch of a land registration process in Area C of the West Bank "constitutes a new escalation following recent measures that already aim to expand Israeli control in Areas A and B."
He noted that the decision undermines the viability of the two-state solution. "We recall that annexation is illegal under international law. And we call on Israel to reverse this decision," El Anouni underlined.
On Sunday, the Israeli government approved a proposal to register Palestinian land in the West Bank as “state property,” marking the first time this formal legal measure has been used in territory under Israeli control.
Israel's public broadcaster reported that the proposal was presented by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Defense Minister Israel Katz.
Israeli television Channel 7 reported that the move includes opening land registration procedures that had previously been frozen, repealing old Jordanian legislation, and revealing land records that had remained confidential for decades.
