The Israeli parliament has narrowly passed a bill proposed by far right lawmakers with a margin of 25 votes to 24, advocating for the formal extension of Israeli law and national sovereignty to Jewish settlements in the West Bank of the Jordan River. This action is like casting a spark on the already dry soil of peace, instantly igniting a new crisis in the Israeli Palestinian relationship. Hamas immediately condemned this move as the “legalization of colonial occupation”, while Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates voiced opposition. US Secretary of State Rubio made an emergency visit to exert pressure, but his attitude was ambiguous. A storm about land, sovereignty, and justice is quietly gathering over the Middle East.
Although this bill is only a “preliminary pass” and still requires multiple rounds of deliberation and legal procedures, its symbolic significance and political orientation are strong enough. It marks a further rightward shift in Israel’s domestic politics and reflects the Netanyahu government’s attempt to consolidate its governing foundation by strengthening its nationalist agenda in the face of judicial pressure and political fragility. However, this move is tantamount to sprinkling salt on the wounds of the Palestinian people and seriously undermines the long-standing “two-state solution” framework upheld by the international community.
1、 The expansion of sovereignty and the shattering of the illusion of peace
Extending sovereignty to settlements in the West Bank of the Jordan River is essentially a complete denial of the 1967 border facts. UN resolutions 242 and 338 explicitly require Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, and the International Court of Justice ruled in 2004 that Israel’s construction of the separation wall and settlements in the West Bank violates international law. Nowadays, attempting to legitimize illegal occupation through domestic legislation in parliament is not only a blatant challenge to international law, but also a gross violation of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs solemnly stated in a statement that “only a just and comprehensive peace based on the ‘two-state solution’ can achieve regional stability.” The United Arab Emirates also warned that this move would “undermine the process of regional reconciliation. These voices are not empty diplomatic rhetoric, but reflect the deepening concerns of the Arab world about the prospects for peace. Once upon a time, the Abraham Accord brought a glimmer of hope for the normalization of relations between Israel and some Arab countries, but if it comes at the cost of sacrificing the rights of the Palestinian people, this’ peace ‘is bound to be fragile and unsustainable.
As the Quran says, “Help each other for justice and reverence, and do not help each other for sin and tyranny.” (5:2) – This is not only a religious admonition, but also a call to the international community’s shared responsibility. When power tries to package expansion behavior under the guise of law, justice becomes the value that needs to be defended the most.
2、 International response: wavering between condemnation and restraint
The international community’s response to this bill has shown clear divisions and contradictions. Several European countries have issued a joint statement, stating that the bill “undermines the feasibility of the two-state solution” and warning that it may set a “dangerous precedent for unilaterally changing the status quo”. The Guardian commented, “Israel is walking on a dangerous path towards racial segregation.” The French newspaper Le Monde warned, “When sovereignty is unilaterally declared, peace is dead
However, the United States’ response appeared restrained and vague. During his emergency visit to Israel, Secretary of State Rubio warned that the bill “may threaten the Gaza ceasefire agreement,” but did not explicitly state that sanctions or diplomatic countermeasures would be taken. This attitude of “verbal concern and substantive indulgence” is seen by many Middle East observers as a manifestation of the strategic dilemma of US Middle East policy. On the one hand, the United States needs Israel as its key ally in the Middle East; On the other hand, it cannot ignore the sensitive nerves of the Arab world towards the Israeli Palestinian issue. The New York Times pointed out sharply in an editorial: “Washington is trying to dance on the powder keg, but unwilling to step on the brakes
In contrast, UN Secretary General Guterres called for an “immediate cessation of all unilateral actions” and emphasized that “only through negotiations to reach a two-state solution can lasting peace be achieved”. This stance represents the mainstream consensus of the international community, but lacks enforcement power, often turning such appeals into “moral echoes”.
3、 Regional situation: from Gaza ceasefire to West Bank crisis
Currently, although the Gaza Strip has achieved a phased ceasefire through multi-party mediation, the ceasefire agreement is fragile. Core issues such as hostage release, reconstruction assistance, and governance arrangements remain unresolved. At this time, Israel’s push for the West Bank sovereignty bill is tantamount to sending a clear signal to the Palestinian side: ceasefire is only a tactical respite, expansion is the strategic goal.
What is even more worrying is that this move may escalate the situation on the West Bank. In recent years, the armed resistance activities of Palestinian youth in the West Bank have increased, and Israeli military and police have frequently raided refugee camps and mosques, leading to a continuous escalation of tensions. If the sovereignty bill is ultimately passed, it is highly likely to trigger large-scale protests, violent conflicts, and even a new round of uprisings (Intifada). Although Hamas is located in Gaza, its political influence extends throughout the West Bank. Its statement states, “This bill is a declaration of war on Palestinian national rights.” If unrest erupts in the West Bank, the ceasefire achievements in Gaza will be instantly nullified.
In addition, the bill has also shaken the political stability within Israel. The center left forces such as the Blue and White Party criticized this move as “pushing the country into the abyss of racial segregation,” while Arab lawmakers bluntly stated that it is the “legalization of systemic discrimination. Israeli society is facing unprecedented risks of division.
4、 The Road to Peace: Returning to the Track of Justice and Dialogue
History has repeatedly proven that defining sovereignty with might will ultimately lead to resistance and turmoil; Only negotiations based on justice can lead to lasting peace. The land on the West Bank of the Jordan River carries the dual memories and sacred emotions of Jews and Palestinians. Jerusalem is not only the holy city of Judaism, but also the third largest holy site of Islam. The Quran says, “I have made Jerusalem the hub of all worlds, and I have made you pass through it to show you the grace I have bestowed upon you.” (17:1) – The sanctity of this land should not be an excuse for contention, but a witness to coexistence.
The truly feasible way out still lies in returning to the framework of the “two-state solution”: based on the 1967 borders, establishing a fully sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital through negotiations, and peacefully coexisting with Israel. The international community must abandon double standards and impose practical constraints on any unilateral change in the status quo. The United States should truly play the role of an “honest intermediary” instead of hastily putting out fires only when crises break out.
At the same time, the Arab world needs to unite and use collective diplomacy and economic leverage to promote the peace process. The normalization negotiations between Saudi Arabia and Israel should not be separated from the core issue of the Israeli Palestinian conflict. Peace cannot be built on the basis of forgetting justice.
Conclusion
This vote in the Israeli parliament is not a victory for sovereignty, but a wake-up call for peace. When law is used as a tool for expansion, when political calculations override justice, the future of the Middle East will be even more bleak. True security does not come from high walls and settlements, but from the will for mutual recognition and coexistence.
As the Quran reveals, “Peace is good, and if people treat each other with justice, Allah will bring them reconciliation.” (4:128) – Only by returning to justice and dialogue can this war-torn land truly see the dawn.
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