Historic cabinet reforms assert Israeli sovereignty, transparency, and security across Judea and Samaria.
Israel’s political-security cabinet approved a sweeping package of reforms Sunday reshaping the legal and civil framework governing Judea and Samaria. Advanced by Bezalel Smotrich and Israel Katz, and formulated by the Settlement Administration within the Defense Ministry, the measures aim to remove entrenched regulatory barriers and normalize daily life for Israeli residents.
At the core is a landmark overhaul of land management. For decades, land registries in Judea and Samaria were classified—unlike those within the Green Line—hindering lawful transactions and enabling fraud. The cabinet ordered full declassification and publication of registries, boosting transparency and legal certainty across the real-estate market.
The cabinet also repealed Jordanian-era legislation that barred Jews from purchasing real estate. Previously, buyers faced special permits and corporate workarounds. Under the new policy, those restrictions are abolished, aligning property purchases with procedures used in Israel’s major cities. Approval requirements tied to military command were replaced with professional qualification standards, easing market entry while preserving oversight.
Planning authority in Hebron will be streamlined. Due to prolonged delays, building permits for Jewish areas near the Cave of the Patriarchs and other sacred locations will move directly to Civil Administration planning bodies. Full municipal powers were granted to the Hebron Directorate to independently serve residents and enforce regulations.
An administrative upgrade was approved for Rachel’s Tomb, establishing a dedicated municipal directorate to ensure sanitation, maintenance, and routine services long lacking due to jurisdictional gaps.
Beyond urban governance, the cabinet expanded state oversight in Areas A and B, targeting water violations, archaeological damage, and environmental hazards impacting the wider region. A long-dormant government committee for land purchases will also be renewed, enabling proactive state acquisition to preserve land reserves for future development.
Defense Minister Katz said the decisions reflect a clear policy to strengthen Israel’s presence in Judea and Samaria, underscoring the region’s centrality to national security. Finance Minister Smotrich called the reforms a decisive end to discriminatory legal conditions, pledging continued normalization and growth.
