TABLET MAG
Yes, Israel Can Apply Israeli Law to the West Bank
Eugene Kontorovich
January 14, 2026

…There is a simple, clear rule to determine the borders of new countries, whether they arise from imperial collapse, decolonization, federal breakup, cession, or any other cause. Under the doctrine of uti possidetis juris, a new country automatically inherits the borders of the last top-level administrative unit in that area. In other words, the pre-independence internal boundaries carry over to the new state. The continuity of prior borders is the sole factor, trumping fuzzy and hard-to-administer considerations like ethnic self-determination or historical title. This rule has been applied to new states from Latin America to Europe. It is a matter of textbook international law. The reasons for it are clear. Demographics and history would give rise to multiple competing claims, whereas uti possidetis provides a unique, unambiguous solution. READ MORE

UKLFI CHARITABLE TRUST Natasha Hausdorff discusses legal status of Judea & Samaria (West Bank) and settlements In this new interview, Natasha Hausdorff discusses the legal status of Judea & Samaria (West Bank) and Israeli settlements there. Natasha puts forward her views regarding the current legal status based on international law rules as applied to other territories around the world. This status can be changed by final status agreements as contemplated by the Oslo Accords.