Israel’s political-security cabinet on Sunday signed off on a broad package of decisions that will dramatically reshape the legal, civil, and administrative systems governing Judea and Samaria, marking one of the most extensive policy shifts in the area in years.

The initiative was promoted by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defense Minister Yisroel Katz and drafted by the Settlement Administration within the Defense Ministry. The changes are designed to dismantle longstanding regulatory hurdles, cancel outdated Jordanian laws, and speed up settlement growth across the region.

One of the most consequential steps deals with land registration. Until now, land records in Judea and Samaria were kept confidential, unlike registries inside the Green Line, a situation that complicated real estate transactions and left room for abuse. Under the new directive, land registries will be opened and published, a move intended to improve transparency and make lawful land purchases more accessible.

The cabinet also nullified a Jordanian-era statute that barred Jews from purchasing property. In the past, Jewish buyers were forced to acquire land through corporate entities and seek special approvals from the Civil Administration. That requirement has now been scrapped, and the prohibition on sales to foreigners has been lifted, allowing Jews to buy property under rules similar to those applied in Israel’s major cities. Additionally, the need for authorization from the Deputy Commander for Land Registration has been replaced with professional qualification criteria, further easing constraints on the local real estate market.

Planning authority in Hebron was also addressed. After years of delays attributed to the Palestinian municipality, responsibility for issuing building permits in Jewish areas near the Cave of the Patriarchs and other sacred sites will be transferred directly to the Civil Administration’s planning bodies. The cabinet said this change will create a permanent framework for planning and end the reliance on temporary arrangements. Alongside this, the Hebron Directorate was granted full municipal authority, enabling it to manage services, respond to residents’ needs, and enforce regulations independently.

Rachel’s Tomb is set to receive a parallel administrative upgrade. Because the site lies within Bethlehem’s municipal jurisdiction, it has long suffered from inconsistent municipal services. The cabinet approved the establishment of a dedicated municipal directorate that will oversee sanitation, garbage collection, landscaping, and ongoing maintenance at the site.

Beyond municipal and land issues, the cabinet approved an expansion of state enforcement activities in Areas A and B. These efforts will concentrate on illegal water usage, harm to archaeological sites, and environmental dangers that affect surrounding areas.

Another notable decision revives a long-dormant government body. A committee tasked with facilitating land purchases, which has been inactive for roughly 20 years, will resume operations. Its renewed mandate is to allow the state to proactively acquire land in Judea and Samaria in order to safeguard reserves for future settlement needs.

Defense Minister Katz said the package reflects a decisive policy aimed at strengthening Israel’s hold in Judea and Samaria and bolstering the settlement enterprise. He described the territory as vital to Israel’s security and national interests and stressed the government’s intention to provide legal clarity and equal civil conditions for Israelis throughout the country.

Finance Minister Smotrich framed the decisions as a turning point, saying they bring an end to what he called discriminatory legal arrangements and move toward normalizing everyday life in Judea and Samaria. He added that the government plans to continue dismantling bureaucratic barriers and pushing forward settlement expansion across the region.

{Matzav.com}