Tel Aviv / PNN /

Israel has informed Washington it intends to announce the annexation of the occupied West Bank soon, according to an Israeli media report published Sunday evening.

The news site Walla reported that the issue of annexation—referred to by Israel as “applying sovereignty”—was raised during a meeting between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Sa’ar reportedly told Rubio that Israel would move ahead with the announcement “in the coming months,” without specifying a timeline.

According to the report, Israel prefers to advance the plan quietly. Official briefings following Thursday’s meeting between Sa’ar and Rubio made no mention of the sovereignty issue, stating only that the two discussed Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran.

The report added that Sa’ar is now paving the way to raise the matter with U.S. officials alongside other senior Israeli figures.

It noted there is consensus within the Israeli government on the need to impose sovereignty over the West Bank, though disagreement remains over whether annexation should be framed as a response to international recognition of a Palestinian state or as an ideological move in its own right.

Israeli media also reported that the Security Cabinet meeting that began Sunday evening would address the issue.

The government is accelerating its push for annexation, which it views as a “political opportunity” tied to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s presence in the White House. Current debate reportedly centres on which parts of the territory might be annexed, with supporters presenting it as a “response” to growing international recognition of Palestinian statehood.

Last month, the Knesset approved a declarative proposal calling on the government to “apply Israeli sovereignty” over the entire occupied West Bank, including the Jordan Valley.

Though the measure is symbolic and nonbinding, its sponsors said it carries “political weight” by paving the way for future steps by Israeli authorities. They argued it aims to reinforce the notion of annexation and block any efforts to establish a Palestinian state west of the Jordan River by entrenching Israel’s claimed “historic right” to the West Bank.

The proposal passed with 71 votes in favour and just 13 opposed. Support came from across the governing coalition, including lawmakers from the Shas party, which has since withdrawn from the government.