Israeli Parliament to Vote on Resolution Calling for Annexation of West Bank

Kokcha News Agency: The Israeli Knesset (parliament) will vote today on a resolution calling for the annexation of the occupied West Bank to Israel.

According to reports in the Israeli press, the resolution, scheduled for a vote at 16:00 Turkey time, is expected to receive support from coalition lawmakers and the opposition party Yisrael Beiteinu (Our Home Israel), led by Avigdor Lieberman.

While the resolution is non-binding, it holds significant symbolic importance. Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana has reportedly placed the resolution on the agenda for a vote before the parliament goes into recess. The resolution is expected to pass with the support of at least 50 coalition lawmakers, along with the six members of Yisrael Beiteinu.

The resolution comes amid a period of political instability in Israel, following the resignation of ultra-Orthodox Jewish (Haredi) parties from the coalition government.

Despite the resignation of the Haredi Shas Party, which is boycotting the vote over a mandatory military service law, it is expected that 11 of its lawmakers will still support the resolution. Another Haredi party, United Torah Judaism, is also not expected to oppose the resolution.

It is important to note that the resolution is not a bill and, even if passed, will not have any immediate practical or legal consequences on the ground. Earlier this month, all ministers from Netanyahu’s Likud party signed a letter urging the Prime Minister to annex the West Bank by the end of the month.