ISTANBUL

The European Union on Monday called on Israel to reverse its recent decision to register large areas of the West Bank as “state property," recalling that annexation is illegal.

Spokesperson Anouar El Anouni told the European Commission's midday press briefing that the latest Israeli decision to approve the launch of a land registration process in Area C of the West Bank "constitutes a new escalation following recent measures already aimed at expanding Israeli control in Areas A and B."

He noted that the decision undermines the viability of the two-state solution.

"We recall that annexation is illegal under international law. And we call on Israel to reverse this decision," El Anouni underscored.

On Sunday, the Israeli government approved a proposal to register Palestinian land in the West Bank as “state property,” marking the first time this formal legal measure has been used in the territory under Israeli control.

Israel’s public broadcaster reported that the proposal was submitted by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Defense Minister Israel Katz.

Channel 7 reported that the measure includes opening previously frozen land registration procedures, canceling old Jordanian legislation, and disclosing land records that had remained confidential for decades.

Palestinians view the measures as a prelude to the formal annexation of the West Bank and a step toward the de facto annexation of large parts of the territory, moves they say would undermine the two-state solution framework endorsed by the UN.