Israel passes law legalizing thousands of settlement homes
JERUSALEM — Israel’s parliament has passed a contentious law meant to retroactively legalize thousands of West Bank settlement homes built on private Palestinian land, a step that is expected to trigger international outrage and a flurry of lawsuits.
The explosive law is the latest in a series of prosettler steps taken by Israel’s hard-line government since the election of President Trump, who is seen as more sympathetic to Israel’s settlement policies than former President Barack Obama. The Israeli government has approved plans to build thousands of new homes on occupied territory since Trump took office.
“We are voting tonight on our right to the land,” Cabinet minister Ofir Akunis said during a stormy debate ahead of the vote. “We are voting tonight on the connection between the Jewish people and its land. This whole land is ours. All of it.”
Critics say the legislation enshrines into law the theft of Palestinian land, and it is expected to be challenged in Israel’s Supreme Court. According to the law, Palestinian landowners would be compensated either with money or alternative land, even if they did not agree to give up their property.
The vote passed 60-52 in the Knesset following a raucous debate. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was not present, had voiced misgivings, reportedly expressing concern the law will lead to international censure and saying he wanted to coordinate with the Trump administration before moving ahead on a vote. He told reporters on a trip to London he had updated Washington and was ready to move ahead with the law.