Muslim and European nations condemn Israeli annexation in West Bank

Senior Muslim and European leaders, including Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, harshly condemned Israel’s recent land reclamation moves in the occupied West Bank. The joint statement from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Brazil, France, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Egypt, Luxembourg, Norway, Palestine, Portugal, Qatar, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as the League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, emphasized that Israel’s classification of West Bank land as “state property” is a blatant disregard for international law.

Earlier this month, Israel approved a plan to register vast areas in the occupied territory as state property for the first time since 1967, contradicting UN Security Council Resolutions and the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion. This decision significantly increases Israeli oversight over Areas A and B, which encompass approximately 40% of the West Bank.

“The latest moves are part of a deliberate strategy to alter the ground reality,” affirmed the joint statement. “They represent unacceptable de facto annexation and further entrench Israeli authority in these regions.”

“We unequivocally condemn Israel’s illegal settlements and those aimed at accelerating them, which are flagrant violations of international law,” the statement added.

The Foreign Ministry also highlighted that these decisions have sparked widespread condemnation, underscoring their stance against Israel’s actions. The message came as part of an ongoing diplomatic push to address the escalating conflict over Israeli settlement activities in occupied territories, a contentious issue with significant implications for peace negotiations and stability in the region.