Israeli authorities designated more than 2.5 million square meters of land in the occupied West Bank as state property on Wednesday. The newly classified territory sits near Ramallah, the administrative capital of the Palestinian Authority.
The decision places the land under the administration of the property custodian of Israel. The Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission reported that affected parties have 45 days to contest the measure, according to the Palestine News Agency.
Appeals must go to the Objections Committee at the Ofer military camp. The targeted land encompasses parts of three Palestinian villages northwest of Ramallah.
The affected communities are Beitillu, Al-Mazra’a Al-Qibliya and Deir Ammar. The commission warned that the designation will facilitate the expansion of the nearby Talmonim settlement bloc.
This bloc includes the settlements of Kerem Reim, Neria and Nahliel. The move also threatens to extend these settlements toward the Talmon and Dolev outposts.
To counter the move, the commission urged immediate legal action to defend the rights of Palestinian villagers. Residents were advised to gather proof of ownership and agricultural-use records and verify land boundaries with local councils.
Numerous members of the United Nations have long condemned Israeli settlement building and expansion across the West Bank and East Jerusalem. These settlements are widely regarded as illegal under international law.
Israel captured the West Bank and East Jerusalem during the war in June 1967. Since that time, the state has maintained a military-run regime overseeing both security and civilian matters in the territories.
