Israel has appointed a pro-settlement figure who openly supports annexation of the occupied West Bank to lead the powerful Israel Land Authority, sparking criticism from Palestinian groups and rights advocates.
Yehuda Eliyahu, a close ally of far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, was approved for the senior role this week. The Israel Land Authority oversees land management and planning across Israel and plays a major role in settlement expansion in occupied Palestinian territories.
Critics warned the appointment signals Israel’s accelerating push toward formal annexation of the West Bank. Eliyahu has previously supported expanding Jewish settlements and increasing Israeli control over Palestinian land.
The appointment comes amid growing international criticism of Israeli settlement policies during the Gaza Genocide, with rights groups accusing the Israeli government of exploiting the conflict to deepen control over occupied territory. Palestinians say continued settlement expansion further undermines prospects for a future Palestinian state.
