Eight nations, led by Türkiye, condemn Israeli moves in West Bank

2026-02-09 - 13:45

Türkiye has spearheaded a joint diplomatic statement with seven other nations condemning Israel's recent measures to strengthen its control over the occupied West Bank. The foreign ministers of Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE declared the Israeli actions "unlawful, null and void" in a statement released on Monday. Condemnation of Annexation and Legal Violations The coalition accused Israel of imposing "unlawful Israeli sovereignty" through steps aimed at entrenching settlements and creating a new administrative reality, which they view as an acceleration of illegal annexation. The statement emphasized that "Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territory," labeling the moves a blatant violation of international law, UN Security Council Resolution 2334, and the 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice. Call for International Action and Reaffirmation of Peace Path The ministers urged the international community to fulfill its responsibilities and pressure Israel to halt its escalation. They stressed that the only viable path to regional peace remains the two-state solution based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital, in line with the Arab Peace Initiative. The statement warned that Israel's policies fuel violence and directly undermine ongoing peace efforts. Context of Israeli Cabinet Decisions The diplomatic rebuke follows the Israeli Security Cabinet's approval on Sunday of measures to alter the legal and civil framework in the West Bank. Reported changes include repealing restrictions on land sales to settlers, making land ownership records public, and transferring building permit authority in parts of Hebron from Palestinian to Israeli control. The eight-nation statement positions these actions as a critical threat to Palestinian rights and regional stability.