Turkish official condemns Israeli West Bank land seizure as violation of law

2026-02-16 - 12:55

In a statement posted on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal, Duran characterized the Israeli move as running "against the common conscience of humanity." He emphasized that such actions deliberately target hopes for peace and regional stability while deepening injustice in the occupied territories. "This approach, which disregards the historical and legal rights of the Palestinian people and aims to alter the demographic and legal structure, will be one of the biggest obstacles to lasting stability in the region," he wrote. Türkiye reaffirms commitment to Palestinian cause Duran rejected "all forms of usurpation of Palestinian territories" and called on the international community to assume responsibility for halting what he described as illegal activity. He stressed the necessity of establishing lasting peace based on the two-state solution framework. "As Türkiye, under the leadership of our President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, we will continue to advocate for a just solution based on international law and human rights and to defend the just cause of our Palestinian brothers and sisters," he declared. Israeli decision sparks international outcry The condemnation follows Sunday's Israeli government approval of a proposal to register Palestinian land in the West Bank as "state property." Israel's public broadcaster reported that the measure was submitted by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, and Defense Minister Israel Katz. The decision represents the first such land seizure since 1967 and has drawn widespread international criticism, including from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar. Threat to two-state solution Palestinians view the measures as a prelude to formal annexation of the West Bank and a step toward de facto incorporation of large Palestinian territories. Such actions directly undermine the internationally endorsed two-state solution, which remains the foundation of peace efforts. Türkiye's strong response reflects its consistent position defending Palestinian rights and opposing unilateral actions that erode the territorial basis for a future Palestinian state, in line with UN resolutions and international law.