The Israeli government has approved a proposal to designate large areas of the occupied West Bank as “state property” for the first time since Israel took control of the territory in 1967.
According to Israel’s public broadcaster KAN, the plan was submitted by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Defence Minister Israel Katz.
Much of the land in the West Bank has never been formally registered. The process, which is described as lengthy and complex, was halted by Israel following its occupation of the territory in 1967.
It is not yet clear how much land will be affected by the move or when the registration process will begin.
