The government of the State of Israel approved the reopening of the official land registry in the West Bank, a move that consolidates the de facto annexation of the territory occupied since 1967. The decision strengthens the settlers, deepens Palestinian fragmentation and generates new tensions. While the Palestinian National Authority and Hamas denounce a colonial escalation, the major powers limit themselves to making formal declarations. It is necessary to resume mobilizations to stop Israel and US imperialism.

By Ruben Tzanoff

What does the reopening of the registry imply?

The cabinet headed by the genocidal Benjamin Netanyahu approved the reactivation of land registration in the West Bank, paralyzed since the 1967 Israeli occupation. Although presented as an administrative procedure, the mechanism allows the declaration of vast tracts as “state lands”, which facilitates their transfer to Israeli settlements of criminal settlers.

In concrete terms, this means that a gradual legal “legalization” of previous appropriations is attempted, that planned expansion is implemented, that control over strategic resources such as water and agricultural land is increased, and that the effective territorial space under Palestinian control is reduced and fragmented.

De facto annexation after Zionism’s dream nightmare

Annexation is not formally announced, but advances through faits accomplis. The strengthening of the colonizing movement involves the expansion of road and security infrastructure directly connected to Israel and the consequent invading military protection in the invaded areas.

The combination of governmental decision and pressure from ultranationalist sectors generates a gradual annexation process. The strategic objective is to integrate large areas of the West Bank into the Israeli political and economic system with the least possible diplomatic costs and the condemnation that an immediate formal annexation would provoke. Of course, as soon as they have conditions, the Zionists will continue to steal territories from other neighboring countries in pursuit of the Zionist dream of imposing “Greater Israel”.

Expansion, standardization and cheating pact

In recent years, the normalization of relations between Israel and several Arab governments has reduced the diplomatic isolation that historically accompanied territorial expansion. That is why US imperialism and its partners want to revive the Abraham Accords with the traitorous regional governments, which have a central responsibility in paving the way for the Zionists.

The other key aspect is the US-Israel and Hamas’ cheating agreement, which favors the military presence of the Israel Defense Forces that threatens to resume the offensive, consolidates the positions occupied during the genocide, and allows the outrages on Gaza, the West Bank and the whole of Palestine, increasingly weakening the territorial viability of an independent Palestinian state.

Reactions from the main Palestinian leaderships

The Palestinian National Authority (PNA), which controls the West Bank by repressing Palestinians and collaborating with Israel, called the move a “de facto annexation” and a violation of international law. Its leaders warned that the land registration could lead to massive confiscations and a new wave of displacement.

Hamas denounced an attempt to consolidate colonial control and called for intensified resistance. Despite their disputes and political differences, both forces agree that the Israeli decision marks an escalation, without implying a consistent policy articulated against Zionism.

Condemnations from the cynicism of the powers that be

The United Nations (UN) reiterated that settlements in occupied territories are illegal and expressed “concern” about any measure that alters the legal status of the West Bank. European Union (EU) governments described the plan as contrary to international law and warned of the risk of regional destabilization. Arab countries also condemned the decision, saying it undermines prospects for peace.

Always the same refrain: declarations and more declarations that, without breaking with Israel or boycotting its interests, legitimize its existence as an invader and gendarme of imperialism against the Arab peoples. What is concrete is that the region is increasingly tense, since to the gradual annexation of the West Bank must be added Donald Trump’s growing threats of a large-scale attack against Iran, with the enthusiastic support of Israel.

Resuming mobilizations with a strategic orientation

It is essential to resume the mobilizations in solidarity with Palestine, the actions of boycott of Israeli interests, the strikes of dockers and workers such as those taking place in Italy and other initiatives. Among them, the Global Sumud Flotilla will be important, which will set sail from different European ports during the next continental spring, this time with humanitarian and political objectives, for self-determination and other demands of the just Palestinian cause.

We reject the annexation of the West Bank, the invasion of the Zionist army, the settlers’ settlements and the deceitful “peace” agreement pushed by Trump, which consolidates aggression, expansionism, ethnic cleansing, genocide and territorial fragmentation. We reject any aggression against Iran and its people, completely independent of the reactionary repressive regime of the ayatollahs.

We condemn the betrayals of the Arab leaders and the cynicism of the governments of the great imperialist powers and international organizations, which only make partial and formal criticisms, but maintain economic and military ties with Israel and endorse its existence. Out with Israel, the US and all imperialisms in Palestine! Down with the traitor Arab governments! We demand that the governments break relations with Israel, activate massive humanitarian aid and take concrete measures to capture, prosecute and punish the genocidal ones like Netanyahu and others!

A truly just and lasting peace will not come from pacts or from the Peace Council promoted by Trump: we must defeat the State of Israel, its imperialist and regional partners, through the socialist revolution that establishes workers’ governments in the Middle East and a single, secular, non-racist, democratic and socialist Palestine. It is a titanic task that can only be achieved with mobilizations, strikes, rebellions and regrouping revolutionaries internationally in pursuit of organizing large national socialist and revolutionary parties.