Tel Aviv : Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, on Wednesday, October 22, approved, in its preliminary reading, a controversial bill to annex the occupied West Bank and impose Israeli sovereignty over the territory — a move that has sparked widespread international criticism.

According to Wafa News Agency , the bill was introduced by Avi Maoz, leader of the far-right Noam party, and passed by a narrow margin of 25 votes in favour and 24 against.

The legislation will now be referred to the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee for detailed examination before facing three further readings required for final approval.

A separate proposal, tabled by Yisrael Beiteinu party leader Avigdor Lieberman, to impose Israeli sovereignty over the Ma’ale Adumim settlement bloc near Jerusal

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