Annexation

Steven Cook reports on vote taken within Israel's ruling party.

[T]he Likud Party’s Central Committee voted to extend Israel’s legal jurisdiction to settlements in the West Bank. It is a legal nuance that seems insignificant against the backdrop of 50 years of occupation, but it has significant consequences. The move is a prelude to annexation.

It appears that thoughtless moves by Dear Leader emboldens this way of thinking. According to an Israeli activist:

If the president of the United States believes Jerusalem is ours, there is no reason why a right-wing party and coalition cannot. It’s important for us to show [Fuckface] what the ruling party in Israel wants, and since he loves the Jewish people, sooner or later, he will come to the same conclusion.

Update (July 21):  Israel has passed a law that's described as a form of apartheid. Meanwhile, ongoing Palestinian protests lead to the death of one Israeli soldier and now the government is carrying out a massive bombing campaign in Gaza.

And Jeffrey St. Clair puts the West Bank into perspective:

Population: 12% Israeli Settler, 88% Palestinian
State Land Allocation by Israel: 99.76% Settler, 0.24% Palestinian

Update (July 22):  Hamas has a deal with Israel to stop the bombing.