According to international news reports from Ankara, foreign ministers from Turkey, Brazil, Denmark, Indonesia, France, Palestine, Finland, Spain, Sweden, Ireland, Iceland, Qatar, Luxembourg, Egypt, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, along with the secretaries-general of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, have jointly condemned Israel’s recent actions regarding the occupied West Bank in the strongest terms.
The statement asserts: “We vehemently condemn a series of recent decisions by Israel that significantly expand its illegal control over the West Bank. These changes have far-reaching implications, reclassifying Palestinian territories as so-called Israeli state land, accelerating illegal settlement activities, and deepening Israel’s administration over these areas.”
Furthermore, the statement emphasizes that Israel’s illegal settlements and the decisions made to advance them constitute a clear violation of international law, including previous United Nations Security Council resolutions and the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice in 2024.In this context, it is stated: “These recent decisions are part of a clear trend aimed at altering the ground realities and advancing practical annexation, which is unacceptable.”
The signatories of the statement highlight that these actions undermine ongoing efforts for peace and stability in the region, including the proposed 20-point plan by the United States for Gaza. They warn that this trajectory threatens hopes for meaningful regional integration, urging the Israeli government to immediately revoke these decisions, adhere to its international obligations, and refrain from actions that could lead to permanent changes in the legal and administrative status of the occupied Palestinian territories.
Additionally, the statement expresses concern over the escalation of tensions in the occupied West Bank and calls on Israel to put an end to the violence perpetrated by illegal settlers against Palestinians and hold the perpetrators accountable.The signatories reaffirm their commitment to taking concrete steps in accordance with international law against the expansion of illegal settlements in Palestinian territories, forced displacement policies, and annexation threats.
Recognizing the special custodianship role rooted in history, they stress the importance of maintaining the historical and legal status quo of Jerusalem and its holy sites, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, condemning repeated violations of the status quo in Jerusalem as a threat to regional stability.
The ministers also call for the immediate release of tax revenues belonging to the Palestinian government that have been withheld by Israel, emphasizing that these funds are vital for providing essential services to the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank, and must be transferred to the Palestinian government as per the Paris Protocol.In conclusion the statement reaffirms an unwavering commitment to achieving a just comprehensive and sustainable peace in the Middle East based on a two-state solution within the borders of June 4 1967 the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant United Nations resolutions. It reiterates that as stated in the New York Declaration ending the Israel-Palestine conflict is essential for peace stability and regional integration and that coexistence among the nations and states in the region can only be realized through the establishment of an independent sovereign and democratic Palestinian state.
