Israel Moves Toward Imposing Sovereignty in the West Bank, Sanctions on Palestinian Authority
Israel is preparing a series of punitive measures against the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the West Bank, including steps to extend sovereignty over parts of the territory, accelerate work on the contentious “E1” project, and potentially evacuate the Bedouin community of Khan al-Ahmar.
Additional measures under discussion include seizing further Palestinian funds and advancing the so-called “Hebron Emirate” plan.
The moves come as several countries are expected to formally recognize a Palestinian state next month.
According to Israel’s public broadcaster Kan, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will bring the proposals to his security cabinet on Sunday. He reportedly discussed the Hebron initiative in an earlier meeting on Friday. The broadcaster said the cabinet is likely to debate “extending Israeli sovereignty over areas of Judea and Samaria (the West Bank).”
Yossi Dagan, head of the Shomron Regional Council, urged Netanyahu to act without delay. “Judea and Samaria are Israel’s first line of defense,” he said, warning against the creation of “a terrorist Palestinian state minutes away from Kfar Saba and Netanya.”
Analysts say the measures represent a dramatic policy shift. Beyond undermining prospects for a Palestinian state, they could significantly weaken the PA, fragmenting Palestinian society into isolated enclaves.
