Calls to annex West Bank nearly unanimous in Knesset

Israel's parliament voted Wednesday on a symbolic motion calling for West Bank annexation, drawing sharp Palestinian condemnation. The nonbinding proposal, passing 71-13, zionist lawmakers Likud MK Dan Illouz and Settlements Minister Orit Strook, declared Israel "will not accept dangerous territorial concessions" and must remain "a secure Jewish state”.

While carrying no legal weight, the motion builds political momentum in normalizing the public, violent erasure of Palestinians across the West Bank — not merely in Gaza, or the embattled enclaves of Tulkarm and Jenin.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly denounced the move, warning it would entrench apartheid and erode peace prospects — the usual rhetoric the PA deploys to appeal to liberal sympathies, while avoiding direct confrontation with zionist power. The ministry accused the Knesset of showing "blatant disregard" for UN resolutions and the International Court of Justice's July 2024 advisory opinion declaring Israel's West Bank presence illegal.

The vote occurs amid rising West Bank tensions, where settlement expansion, settler violence, and home demolitions are reaching historical heights. Wednesday's motion follows January 2024's rejection of Palestinian statehood by 68-9, reflecting broad parliamentary consensus on maintaining Israeli control over the entire occupied territory. While symbolic, these actions signal hardening positions that indicate another phase of indigenous erasure.

Daily Reality of Colonial Occupation: July 21, 2025

These brutal statistics expose the systematic nature of Israeli settler colonialism across occupied Palestine. In a single 24-hour period, occupation forces conducted 41 invasions into Palestinian communities, established 15 checkpoints to control movement, and carried out 25 arrests of Palestinians. The colonial apparatus deployed 11 instances of live ammunition against civilians, and enabled 12 settler attacks on our people and property. Discussing “annexation” is mostly symbolic when the broader zionist movement can enact this sort of systematic violence with no resistance by the Palestinian Authority.

This snapshot reveals the calculated infrastructure of dispossession — from the 134 deaths and 1,156 injuries primarily in Gaza just on this day to the methodical invasions spanning every West Bank governorate. The systematic attacks on water infrastructure in Ramallah demonstrate how colonization operates through both spectacular violence and mundane resource theft. Each checkpoint becomes a site of humiliation, each invasion a reminder of our supposed disposability.

These aren't random acts but coordinated elements of a colonial project designed to fragment Palestinian society, steal land, and make everyday life impossible under occupation. So when we talk about “annexation”, we have to look back on the Oslo Accords, the agreement which legalized the processes of Israel’s methods of indigenous erasure and land accumulation — setting the table for annexation.

WEST BANK Report for July 21, 2025

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Jerusalem Governorate

• Military Checkpoints — July 21, 2025, 2:00 p.m.: Israeli forces tightened procedures at Hizma checkpoint, impeding traffic flow.
• Invasions — July 20, 2025, dawn: Israeli forces stormed areas in Jerusalem governorate.
• Arrests — Israeli forces detained Munther Mansour from al-Ram.
• Assault on Places of Worship — July 21, 2025, 8:00 a.m.: Groups of extremist settlers stormed al-Aqsa Mosque under occupation police protection, conducting provocative tours in its courtyards and facilities.

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Ramallah Governorate

• Temporary Checkpoints — Israeli forces set up checkpoints at: entrance to Sinjil (8:45 a.m.), entrance to Beit Awar al-Tahta (9:10 a.m.), Shaqba village (2:15 p.m.), entrance to Na'lin (2:35 p.m.), near Atara (3:00 p.m.), and entrance to eastern al-Mazra'a (8:55 p.m.) to search vehicles and check citizen identities.
• Invasions — Israeli forces stormed: Sinjil (8:50 a.m.), Bitunia with confrontations lasting until 5:35 p.m., eastern al-Mazra'a (8:55 p.m.), al-Mughair village (9:50 p.m.), Turmasayya (11:10 p.m.), and Jalazoun camp (2:10 a.m.-6:40 a.m.) where two citizens were arrested.
• Arrests — Omar Hossam al-Ramahi and Musa Fadi Nakhleh were detained during the Jalazoun camp raid.
• Live Fire — July 21, 2025, 1:45 p.m.: During the Bitunia invasion, Israeli forces fired sound bombs, tear gas, and gas bombs at citizens, claiming they were pelted with stones.
• Settler Attacks — Multiple attacks including: an assault on citizens in Kafr Na'ama village outskirts (9:00 p.m.), armed settlers provoking citizens at Jabal Tal al-Batin area (9:25 p.m.), attack on 60-year-old Awad Abdullah Abu Awad while on his land in Turmasayya (10:55 p.m.), and major attack on Ain Samia water infrastructure east of Kafr Malik village (10:55 p.m.), causing complete shutdown of water pumping to dozens of towns and villages north and east of Ramallah.

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Jenin Governorate

• Invasions — Since January 1, 2025: Ongoing storming of Jenin city and camp with shooting at citizens continuing until report preparation. Evening of July 20: Forces stormed Qabatiya, resulting in clashes. Israeli forces also stormed al-Saila al-Harithiya (4:30 a.m.) and Ya'mun (6:15 a.m.).
• Arrests — Laith Osama Zyoud detained in al-Harithiya; Islam Shehadeh Farraj Khamisa detained in Ya'mun.
• Live Fire — During Qabatiya invasion, Israeli forces fired live bullets, rubber-coated rounds, tear gas and gas bombs at citizens, claiming stone-throwing.

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Tubas Governorate

• Invasions — July 21, 2025, 8:20 p.m.: Israeli forces stormed al-Fara'a village with confrontations during patrol operations.
• Live Fire — During al-Fara'a raid, Israeli forces fired sound bombs and tear gas at citizens, claiming stone-throwing.
• Settler Attacks — Attacks occurred on July 20 (details incomplete in source).

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Tulkarm Governorate

• Temporary Checkpoints — Checkpoints established at: Pharaoh Village Junction (9:00-10:00 a.m.), Bazaria village junction east of Anabta (2:35-3:00 p.m.), and Jabara Bridge south of Tulkarm city (6:10 p.m.) for vehicle inspection and identity checks.
• Invasions — Since January 1: Ongoing operations. July 21, 8:40 p.m.: Israeli forces stormed Anabta with clashes during patrol.
• Live Fire — During Anabta storming, Israeli forces fired live bullets, rubber-coated rounds, bombs, and tear gas, claiming stone-throwing.
• Physical Abuse — July 21, 6:35 p.m.: Muhammad Kamel Mahmoud Saleh and his wife were hospitalized in Tulkarm Government Hospital with bruises from severe beatings by occupation forces near their home in Tanaba.

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Qalqilya Governorate

• Temporary Checkpoints — July 21, 7:00-8:15 p.m.: Checkpoint between Azzun and Ezbet al-Tabib for vehicle searches and identity checks.
• Invasions — July 21, 3:30-8:00 a.m.: Israeli forces stormed Qalqilya city, raiding and searching houses.
• Settlement Activities — July 21, 3:00 p.m.: Settlers on the eastern side of Kafr Laqif village created a settlement road on citizens' territorial lands.

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Nablus Governorate

• Temporary Checkpoints — Checkpoints at: entrance to Awarta village (8:20 a.m.) and Beit Furik-Beit Dajan junction (12:30 p.m.) for vehicle inspection and identity checks.
• Invasions — Israeli forces stormed: Madma village (11:40 a.m.-1:30 p.m.), Tal village (6:30-11:25 p.m.), Beita (9:10 p.m.), Beit Dajan village with clashes (10:10-11:25 p.m.), and Nablus city (1:40-5:45 a.m.) where houses were raided and 2 siblings arrested.
• Arrests — Qusai al-Aidi arrested while reporting to Israeli intelligence (9:35 p.m.); siblings Ahmed Abu Saleh and Muhammad Abu Saleh detained during Nablus city raid.
• Live Fire — During Beit Dajan storming, Israeli forces fired sound bombs, tear gas, and gas bombs at citizens, claiming stone-throwing.
• Settlement Activities — July 21, 10:55 a.m.: Settlers southwest of Aqraba conducted bulldozing work on agricultural lands and uprooted perennial olive trees to expand the settlement outpost at the archaeological site on Jabal Qarafa summit.
• Settler Attacks — Settlers entered Khirbet al-Marjab area near Douma village touring citizen homes (3:50 p.m.); settlers entered al-Bir area in Beit Furik, stealing solar panels and beating citizen Bakr Ghassan Hanni (12:55 a.m.).

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Salfit Governorate

• Invasions — July 21, 11:55 p.m. to 12:40 a.m.: Israeli forces stormed Kafr al-Deek and arrested one citizen.
• Arrests — Zarifa Youssef Dawood Muhammad al-Deek detained in Kafr al-Deek.
• Injuries — July 21, 5:55 p.m.: Abdel-Bari Ya'qub Arabi from Masha village was admitted to Salfit Government Hospital with gunshot wounds from occupation forces guarding settlements while attempting to enter the green line.

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Bethlehem Governorate

• Temporary Checkpoints — July 21, 11:55 a.m. to 1:05 p.m.: Checkpoint at al-Faridis village roundabout for vehicle inspection and identity checks.
• Invasions — Evening of July 20: forces stormed Tuqu' town with clashes during patrol. July 21, 3:45 a.m.: Israeli forces stormed Bethlehem city, Beit Sahour, Doha and al-Daheisha camp, arresting 5 citizens.
• Arrests — Fahmy Hassan Manasra arrested near Wadi Fukin while grazing sheep (5:50 p.m.); Yanarneh from al-Daheisha camp arrested while reporting to Israeli intelligence (3:45 a.m.); 5 citizens arrested during dawn raids: Muhammad Maher Sha'alan (Beit Sahour resident), Wazin al-Roumi (Doha resident), Lutfi Daimsa (al-Dahisha camp resident), Abdullah Daimsa (al-Daheisha camp resident), and 17-year-old Jalal Muhammad Jalal Ahmed (al-Daheisha camp resident).

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Hebron Governorate

• Temporary Checkpoints — July 21, 9:30 a.m.: Checkpoint at entrance to Nabi Yunus area on Hebron-Bethlehem road for vehicle inspection and identity checks.
• Invasions — Israeli forces stormed: Bani Na'im (7:00 p.m. and again at 2:50 a.m. with arrest), Beit Omar (9:45-10:00 p.m.), Yatta with 2 arrests (1:35 a.m.), Sa'ir with 1 arrest (2:20 a.m.), Izna with 4 arrests (3:40 a.m.), and Tafuh with 1 arrest (dawn of July 21).
• Arrests — Multiple detentions: Shaker Ali Salem Ballout (Bani Na'im), Musa Jibril Musa al-Amur and Muhammad Badr Muhammad al-Amur (Yatta), Nar Musa al-Tarwa (Sa'ir), Mu'taz Jibril Dhiab Jiawi, Yussef Ali Hassan Awad, Akhdar Muhammad Tamiza, and Hazem Jibril Dhiab Jiawi (Izna), Nader Arzikat (Tafuh).
• Settler Attacks — Multiple attacks in Yatta area: assault on citizen homes and attempted sheep theft in Masafer area (9:10 a.m.), chemicals poured on olive seedlings in Khirbet Umm al-Khair village (10:25 a.m.), chasing and assaulting citizens grazing sheep in al-Tuwani village (10:50 a.m.), settlers grazing livestock on agricultural lands in Khirbet Qawawis area (11:45 a.m.), and celebration held in illegally created park in Tayyiba area of Tarqumia (7:15 p.m.).

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Gaza Strip - All Governorates

• Deaths — 134 citizens killed in 24-hour period (including 4 martyrs recovered from rubble), bringing total deaths since Gaza aggression began to over 59,029.
• Injuries — 1,155 citizens wounded, bringing total recorded injuries since the Gaza aggression began to over 142,135.
• Ceasefire Violations — Since dawn of March 18, 2025, occupation forces continued violating ceasefire agreement, bombing with artillery shells and missiles from warplanes targeting sites, installations and residential buildings across all Gaza governorates.
• Invasions — Ongoing occupation presence in 4 axes: Netzarim axis reaching Salah al-Din Street (preventing movement), northern axis in Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun, Shuja’iyya axis east of Gaza city, and Shaboura camp axis including Tal al-Sultan neighborhood and central Rafah.
• Closure of Crossings — Multiple crossings remain closed: Erez (North Gaza), al-Munnabar-Karni (closed permanently since 2011), al-Shuja'iya-Nahal Oz fuel crossing, Yasser Arafat International Airport, Sofa crossing. Karam Abu Salem-Kerem Shalom partially open for humanitarian aid trucks.