With dramatic support from the Prime Minister and Members of Knesset from both coalition and opposition, the Knesset approved a motion calling on the Israeli government to apply sovereignty in Judea and Samaria. The Sovereignty Movement welcomes the decision and calls for immediate action.
By a significant majority of 71 MKs in favor and only 13 opposed, the Knesset approved the motion calling for the application of Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, led by MKs Simcha Rothman, Dan Illouz, Oded Forer, and Limor Son Har-Melech.
The preamble to the resolution states: "Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley are an inseparable part of the Land of Israel—the historical, cultural, and spiritual homeland of the Jewish people. Hundreds and thousands of years before the establishment of the State, the forefathers of our nation and its prophets lived and acted in these areas, laying the foundations of Jewish culture and faith. Cities like Hebron, Shechem (Nablus), Shiloh, and Beit El are not merely historical sites—they are a living expression of Jewish continuity in the Land."
"Sovereignty in Judea and Samaria is an integral part of realizing Zionism and the Jewish people’s national vision of returning to their homeland. The Simchat Torah Massacre—October 7, 2023—proved that establishing a Palestinian state constitutes an existential threat to Israel, its citizens, and the region at large. On July 18, 2024 (12 Tammuz 5784), the Knesset declared its opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state west of the Jordan River, asserting that such a state would endanger Israel and its citizens, perpetuate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and destabilize the region. Thus, the Knesset removed the idea of a Palestinian state from the national agenda."
The decision text further states: "The Knesset declares that the State of Israel has a natural, historical, and legal right to the entire Land of Israel, the Jewish people’s historic homeland. The Knesset calls on the Government of Israel to promptly apply sovereignty—Israeli law, jurisdiction, and administration—over all areas of Jewish settlement in Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley in all their forms. This move will strengthen the State of Israel and its security, and will eliminate any doubt about the Jewish people's fundamental right to peace and security in their homeland."
In response to the vote, the Sovereignty Movement issued its congratulations to the leaders of the initiative: “The Sovereignty Movement congratulates the supporters, initiators, and leaders of the motion passed today in the Knesset by a wide margin, calling for the application of sovereignty over Judea and Samaria. MKs, ministers, non-parliamentary organizations, and public figures who spearheaded the effort—you have been privileged to take part in yet another historic step in the journey to fulfill the Jewish people's rights in the Land of Israel. Now is the time to act.”
The movement’s statement continued: “Our sages taught: ‘Great is speech that leads to action.’ Action does not emerge from a vacuum—it is preceded by thought, declaration, call, and belief. So it is with sovereignty. Years of activism, declarations, rallies, conferences, articles, plans, and proposals have ripened into the historic parliamentary step we witnessed today. The next and necessary step is actual implementation of Israeli sovereignty over our Promised Land—an expression of moral and historical justice, national responsibility, Zionist vision, and the righteousness of our cause. Leaders of Israel—it is in your hands!”
The heads of the Sovereignty Movement, Yehudit Katsover and Nadia Matar, added that it's essential to move into the next practical stages of sovereignty, including legislation to apply Israeli law to Judea and Samaria in a way that can only be reversed with a supermajority of 80 MKs.
“These steps will lead to a wave of settlement as rightful owners of this land—not like thieves in the night during the Ottoman or British Mandate periods. Establishing outposts or communities in such a manner is a desecration of God’s name, especially when we are a sovereign state. Applying the law will bring economic development. Investors, local and foreign, will know their investments are secure, and fear of a future government giving up parts of the homeland—something that happened in the past due to lack of sovereignty—will be removed.”
Katsover and Matar emphasized that while this was indeed a historic step in parliamentary and declarative terms, it must only be the first step toward the full realization of the Zionist vision—the application of Jewish sovereignty over the entire Land of Israel.
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, speaking shortly after the vote results were announced, said: “The Knesset has now made a historic declaration in favor of applying Israeli sovereignty to parts of our homeland—Judea and Samaria. It is a great honor to be the Speaker of a Knesset that says clearly and by solid majority: This is our land. This is our home. The Land of Israel belongs to the people of Israel. In 1967, the so-called ‘occupation’ did not begin—it ended. Our homeland was returned to its rightful owners. We are the original indigenous people of this land. Jews cannot be considered ‘occupiers’ in a territory that for 3,000 years has been called Judea.”
“These are truths no false narrative can change. This is the historical truth, the present truth, the parliamentary truth, and it is also the only path to achieving real peace through strength—and to extinguish the false hopes in the hearts of our enemies that we will disappear, be expelled, or withdraw from our homeland. We are here to stay.”
Chair of the Constitution Committee, MK Simcha Rothman, one of the resolution’s initiators, summed up: “I am grateful to have had the privilege of leading this historic move. Today, the Knesset has spoken: It is time for sovereignty! The application of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria is the natural follow-up to the decision I led last year to reject the idea of a Palestinian state. Last year, the Knesset chose to reject evil. Now it is time to do good and apply Jewish sovereignty over the Land of Israel.”
In her speech in the plenum, MK Limor Son Har-Melech, one of the resolution’s leaders, stressed: “This is not enough. Yes, this is an important proposal, a principled statement, but we need more than words. We need action.”
She also noted: “Together with my faction colleagues, I have already submitted legislation—a law to apply full Israeli sovereignty to Judea and Samaria. That law is now waiting for a vote.”
MK Dan Illouz, one of the sponsors of the resolution, stated after the vote: “For the first time ever, the Knesset has expressed official support for applying Israeli sovereignty to Judea and Samaria. The message from the plenum is clear: Judea and Samaria are not bargaining chips—they are the heart of our land. This is not symbolic—it is the beginning of a national decision. The world doesn’t respect evasion—it respects a clear stand on our right to the Land of Israel. The time has come for sovereignty.”
Israel Gantz, head of the Yesha Council (the umbrella organization representing Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria), which promoted the parliamentary initiative, said after the vote: “I thank the ministers and MKs from both coalition and opposition who voted for this important proposal to advance Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria.
The proposal’s approval by a large majority of Zionist MKs once again proves the broad public support for sovereignty and is clear proof of the national will to fulfill our values and rights to our land. This vote is a key milestone in advancing the strategic move that will secure Israel’s national security.”
Gantz concluded with a call to the government: “Turn this decision into reality on the ground. We are at a historic and critical moment—we cannot afford to miss this opportunity. The Yesha Council will continue to work tirelessly until Israeli sovereignty is applied over Judea and Samaria.”