Brussels: The European Union on Monday called on Israel to reverse its recent decision to register large areas of the West Bank as 'state property,' recalling that annexation is illegal.

According to Anadolu Agency, spokesperson Anouar El Anouni informed the European Commission's midday press briefing that the recent Israeli decision to approve the initiation of a land registration process in Area C of the West Bank represents a new escalation in Israel's control over the region. This move follows previous measures aimed at expanding Israeli influence in Areas A and B.

He emphasized that the decision jeopardizes the viability of the two-state solution. "We recall that annexation is illegal under international law. And we call on Israel to reverse this decision," El Anouni stressed.

On Sunday, the Israeli government approved a proposal to register Palestinian land in the West Bank as 'state property,' marking the first use of this formal legal measure in the territory under Israeli control. Israel's public broadcaster noted that the proposal was advanced by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, and Defense Minister Israel Katz.

Channel 7 reported that the measure involves reopening previously frozen land registration procedures, nullifying old Jordanian legislation, and revealing land records that had been confidential for decades. Palestinians see these actions as a precursor to the formal annexation of the West Bank and a move toward the de facto annexation of significant portions of the territory. They argue that such steps would undermine the two-state solution framework supported by the UN.