Nearly 20 countries, regional organizations condemn Israeli decisions on West Bank

Nearly 20 countries, the League of Arab States, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation jointly condemned on Monday recent Israeli decisions to expand unlawful control over the West Bank.

In a joint statement, foreign ministers of countries including Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan, among others, along with the secretaries-general of the regional organizations, denounced a series of measures that they said would reclassify Palestinian land as so-called Israeli "state land," accelerate settlement activity, and further entrench Israeli administration in the occupied territory.

The statement said Israel's settlements and related decisions constitute "a flagrant violation of international law," including relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

According to the statement, the measures form part of a trajectory aimed at altering realities on the ground, advancing "unacceptable de facto annexation," and undermining efforts toward peace and stability in the region.

They called on the Israeli government to reverse the decisions immediately, respect its international obligations, and refrain from actions that would permanently change the legal and administrative status of the occupied Palestinian territory.

The statement reaffirmed commitment to achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East based on the two-state solution, in line with the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant UN resolutions, and on the basis of the June 4, 1967 lines, and stressed that ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is essential for regional peace and stability.

Earlier this month, Israel approved a plan to register West Bank land as "state property," a move that could strengthen Israeli claims and facilitate settlement expansion. The plan, submitted by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, and Defense Minister Israel Katz, was approved by the cabinet.