More than 100 countries, including India, the United Kingdom and Russia, along with international organisations, have condemned Israel’s “unilateral” measures and rejected annexation plans in the occupied
West Bank.
The statement was issued by over 100 states and organisations, including Afghanistan, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Vietnam, Yemen, Zimbabwe, the League of Arab States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the European Union, among others.
The joint statement said, “We strongly condemn unilateral Israeli decisions and measures aimed at expanding Israel’s unlawful presence in the West Bank. Such decisions are contrary to Israel’s obligations under international law and must be immediately reversed.”
It underlined strong opposition to any form of annexation and rejected all measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character and status of the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem.
The statement said such measures violate international law, undermine efforts for peace and stability, run counter to the Comprehensive Plan and jeopardise the prospect of a peace agreement. It reaffirmed commitment, reflected in the New York Declaration, to take concrete measures in line with international law, relevant UN resolutions and the 19 July 2004 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice.
It also reaffirmed support for a just and lasting peace based on relevant United Nations resolutions, the Madrid terms of reference, including land for peace, and the Arab Peace Initiative. It said ending the Israeli occupation that began in 1967 and implementing the two-State solution, with an independent and sovereign Palestine and Israel living side by side within secure and recognised borders based on the 1967 lines, including Jerusalem, remains the only path to security and stability.
UN Warns of “De Facto Annexation”
According to AFP, a senior UN official has warned that steps by Israel to tighten control of areas of the West Bank administered by the Palestinian Authority amount to “de facto annexation”.
Since last week, Israel has approved a series of initiatives backed by far-right ministers to consolidate control over the West Bank, where Palestinians exercise limited autonomy under past agreements.
UN Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo told the Security Council that the world is witnessing the gradual de facto annexation of the West Bank as unilateral Israeli steps transform the landscape.
She said if implemented, the measures would expand Israeli civil authority in the occupied West Bank, including in sensitive areas such as Hebron. The moves could lead to settlement expansion by removing bureaucratic barriers and easing land purchases and building permits.
The steps are set to increase Israel’s control in parts of the West Bank where the Palestinian Authority currently exercises power.
Oslo Accords
Under the Oslo Accords, the West Bank was divided into Areas A, B and C under Palestinian, mixed and Israeli governance respectively.
The West Bank would form the largest part of any future Palestinian state. However, many on Israel’s religious right view it as Israeli land. The Oslo Accords were signed in the 1990s with the aim of paving the way for an independent Palestinian state.
UN missions for 85 member states also issued a joint statement condemning Israel’s encroaching control of the West Bank.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said many countries claim the Jewish presence in what he called their ancient homeland violates international law. He said no other nation has a stronger historical and documented right to the land of the Bible.
Palestinian ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour said there is something fundamentally racist about what he described as a colonial narrative behind the policies.
US “Board of Peace” Meeting
The meeting was reportedly brought forward as Donald Trump prepares to convene a meeting of his “Board of Peace” in Washington.
The board, chaired by Trump, was initially set up to oversee the Gaza truce and reconstruction after the war between Hamas and Israel. Its purpose has since expanded to resolving various international conflicts, leading to suspicions that the US president wants to create a rival to the United Nations.
US ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz said the board is not talking but acting, and accused critics of questioning its structure. The United Nations will not be represented at the meeting.
