Israel updates West Bank land ownership laws and status

On Sunday, February 8, 2026, the Israeli security cabinet officially altered the legal framework governing property acquisition in the West Bank. The decision abolished a long-standing Jordanian law that had restricted land ownership to Jordanian citizens and required special permits for foreign entities. Since 1967, the Israeli military administration had customarily followed this Jordanian framework. One source characterizes the move as the first official designation of these lands as state-owned property since the 1967 conflict. Analysts suggest this policy shift represents a significant step toward the potential annexation of the territory. The change is expected to impact future negotiations regarding a two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. It effectively simplifies the process for non-Jordanians to acquire real estate in the region.