In the context of the Israeli presence in the West Bank since 1967, de facto annexation describes the Israeli consolidating control over foreign territory through incremental, factual actions (like building settlements, exploiting resources, applying laws) without a formal declaration, essentially creating permanent facts on the ground to claim sovereignty, even while de jure annexation (formal declaration) is prohibited by the UN Charter's ban on acquiring territory by force. While de jure is a formal declaration and de facto is the "creeping" process, both aim for permanent control, with the de facto approach avoiding formal illegality but still violating the prohibition on the use of force and establishing unlawful annexation.
International law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention (GCIV) and Hague Regulations, explicitly forbids the Israelis, as an annexing belligerent, from building colonies (settlements) in the occupied West Bank, deeming it a serious violation, as occupation is temporary and the power acts as an administrator, not a sovereign, prohibiting forceful acquisition or altering the territory's legal status. Such actions, termed "de facto annexation," are illegal and have no bearing on the rights of protected persons, who remain under the full protection of IHL.
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Please take note that dates refer to the day when a video or photo was posted on the account of a social media user, where it was found
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There may be duplicates, as a video or photo may show elements that may issue more than one category.
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Credit: photographers, videographers, reporters, and journalists in the West Bank, news agencies, and other sources.
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- Parent Category: METHODS OF ANNEXATION
- Category: De facto annexation
20250730 - PDF / Map: - Colonies and outposts since October 2023
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- Parent Category: METHODS OF ANNEXATION
- Category: De facto annexation
20240630 - AJE Live blog - Egypt condemns Israeli decision to legalize 5 more settlements
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- Parent Category: METHODS OF ANNEXATION
- Category: De facto annexation
20240630 - AJE Live blog - Israelis expand powers over one fifth of the West Bank
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- Parent Category: METHODS OF ANNEXATION
- Category: De facto annexation
20250430 - PDF - Under the Radar - The Quiet Surge in West Bank Settlements
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- Parent Category: De facto annexation
- Category: Outposts
20250314 - PDF - Adorayim, one of 284 settlement outposts expanding to complete the annexation of the West Bank
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- Parent Category: METHODS OF ANNEXATION
- Category: De facto annexation
20240912
PDF:
Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory
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- Parent Category: METHODS OF ANNEXATION
- Category: De facto annexation
20240912
Systematic Coordination Between Israeli Forces and Settlers to Advance Settlement Expansion in Hebron
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- Parent Category: METHODS OF ANNEXATION
- Category: De facto annexation
20240719 - PDF - ICJ Summary of the Advisory Opinion
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- Parent Category: METHODS OF ANNEXATION
- Category: De facto annexation
20240629
News
Illegal Israeli settlements expansion plans raise alarm across occupied West Bank