Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 06:29pm on 09 Feb 2026,Monday International
Palestinian officials and several Arab states have criticised new Israeli cabinet measures in the West Bank, calling them a move toward “de facto annexation”. The steps were announced by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. They ease rules on land sales and property registration involving Jewish settlers. Smotrich said, “We will continue to kill the idea of a Palestinian state.” The changes remove limits on direct land sales and cut permit needs for property deals. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called the measures “dangerous” and urged US and UN action. Israeli rights group Peace Now warned the decision could lead to large-scale land takeover and weaken existing agreements. (PC: BBC)
