Israeli cabinet approves decision paving way for annexation, greater control of WB, as settlers burn Qurans

Israel’s cabinet on Sunday approved a set of decisions that would effectively see large swathes of the occupied West Bank annexed and Israeli control in the territory strengthened, paving the way for widespread demolitions of Palestinian buildings in Areas A and B.

The measures have been pushed by extremist and far-right ministers Israel Katz and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich.

According to local Palestinian media, the decisions are the most dangerous since 1967, and undermine the Oslo and al-Khalil agreements, which state that Israel has no authority over civilian matters in the West Bank.

The new rules will make it easier for Israeli settlers to buy land in occupied areas and give Israeli officials powers to enforce laws on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

Reports in Israeli media confirmed that the new steps would end rules that prevent Jews from buying land in the occupied West Bank and would allow Israeli authorities to manage some religious sites.

The reports added that the cabinet decision would also see stronger Israeli enforcement and supervision when it comes to areas run by the Palestinian Authority, triggering outrage.

The Palestinian presidency has lambasted the decisions, calling them "dangerous" and Israel’s attempt to "legalise settlement expansion".  President Mahmoud Abbas called on the US and the UN Security Council to intervene and stop Israeli land confiscation.

Jordan’s ministry of foreign affairs also condemned the move from Israel, calling it a decision "aimed at imposing illegal Israeli sovereignty".

In a statement in response to the cabinet decisions, Smotrich’s office said: "We will continue to bury the idea of a Palestinian state."

The latest development comes as Israeli forces on Monday launched a large-scale arrest campaign across the West Bank, ransacking Palestinian homes and businesses.

Local sources told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, The New Arab’s Arabic language sister publication, that Wafaa Yousef Abu Ghalmi, the wife of a detainee, was jailed after forces raided her home in Ramallah.

An Israeli raid on Sunday evening also saw Youssef Mohammed Naasan detained, after forces stormed into his shop. Residents said money was stolen during the search, and that tear gas was used on civilians.

At least three men were arrested in another raid in Ash-Shukyukh, north of Hebron, while Israeli forces raided homes in Aqaba and the al-Far’a camp in Tubas.

Meanwhile, Palestinians in Tuba-Zangariyya, north-west of Tiberias, took part in a general strike in protest against Israeli demolitions in the village.

On Monday morning, Israeli authorities demolished a home in the village, triggering the local council to call for the strike.

Shop owners, civilians, educational institutions and businesses took part in the strike.

The head of the local council, lawyer Mu’ayyad Heeb, said: "The strike is an expression of rejection of demolition policies, and is a call to stop measures that affect the town’s residents".

In Bethlehem, Israeli settlers launched a violent attack on Palestinians on Sunday evening, which included storming the Al-Minya mosque and burning copies of the Qur'an.

The head of the Minya village council, Zayed Kawazba, told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, said around eight armed settlers stormed the mosque at 5 PM on Sunday, and proceeded to vandalise items in the mosque. He called the attack "serious and unprecedented".