What prompted Israeli lawmakers to advance West Bank annexation bills?

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Israeli Lawmakers Advance West Bank Annexation Bills Amidst US Opposition

Israeli lawmakers have voted to advance two bills proposing the annexation of the occupied West Bank, a move that comes as the United States has reiterated its opposition to such actions. The votes in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, occurred during a visit by US Vice President JD Vance. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party described the legislative push as a provocation by the opposition intended to harm relations with the United States.
Knesset Votes on Annexation Proposals

During a preliminary reading, Israeli lawmakers advanced two distinct bills concerning the West Bank. The first bill, which garnered 32 votes in favour and nine against, specifically proposed the annexation of Maale Adumim, a significant Israeli settlement located east of Jerusalem. The second, more expansive proposal, aimed at annexing the entire West Bank, received support from 25 MPs, with 24 voting in opposition.
Calls for Annexation from Far-Right Ministers

The advancement of these bills reflects open advocacy for annexation by far-right members within Prime Minister Netanyahu's cabinet. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a prominent proponent of this agenda, stated that the time had arrived to assert full Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank, referred to by its biblical name, Judea and Samaria. He expressed a desire to promote peace agreements based on strength with neighbouring countries.
International Condemnation and Legal Status

The Palestinian foreign ministry in Ramallah strongly condemned the Knesset's vote, asserting that it "strongly rejects the Knesset’s attempts to annex Palestinian land." They emphasized that the occupied Palestinian territories form a single unit over which Israel holds no sovereignty. Jordan's foreign ministry also issued a condemnation, characterising the votes as a "blatant violation of international law and a grave undermining of the two-state solution." Under international law, all Israeli settlements in the West Bank are considered illegal.
US Stance and Broader Context

Former President Donald Trump has previously stated his opposition to the annexation of the West Bank, declaring in September that "It’s not going to happen." The Likud party's statement suggested that the votes were a deliberate act by the opposition to damage Israel's relationship with the United States, indicating internal political dynamics at play. The West Bank, occupied by Israel since 1967, is home to approximately three million Palestinians and over 500,000 Israeli settlers. Violence in the region has intensified since the commencement of the war in Gaza in October 2023.

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What prompted Israeli lawmakers to advance West Bank annexation bills?

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