Global Coalition Condemns Israeli Actions in Palestinian Territories
In a powerful display of international unity, foreign ministers from Islamic, Arab, and European countries have issued a joint statement expressing their strong condemnation of Israel's illegal activities in the Occupied Palestinian territories. The statement, released from Islamabad, underscores a collective stance against recent Israeli decisions that extend unlawful control over the West Bank.
Broad International Consensus Against Settlement Expansion
The joint declaration includes representatives from a diverse group of nations, such as the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Federative Republic of Brazil, the French Republic, and the Kingdom of Denmark, among others. Also participating are the Republic of Finland, the Republic of Iceland, the Republic of Indonesia, Ireland, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Kingdom of Norway, the State of Palestine, the Portuguese Republic, the State of Qatar, the Republic of Slovenia, the Kingdom of Spain, the Kingdom of Sweden, the Republic of Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates. The Secretaries General of the League of Arab States and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation have also endorsed this critical statement.
The ministers condemned in the strongest terms a series of recent Israeli decisions that introduce sweeping extensions to unlawful Israeli control over the West Bank. They highlighted that these changes are wide-ranging, reclassifying Palestinian land as so-called Israeli 'state land', accelerating illegal settlement activity, and further entrenching Israeli administration in the region.
Violations of International Law and Peace Efforts
The statement emphasized that Israel's illegal settlements and related decisions constitute a flagrant violation of international law. This includes previous United Nations Security Council Resolutions and the 2024 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice. The ministers asserted that these latest decisions are part of a clear trajectory aimed at changing the reality on the ground and advancing unacceptable efforts towards de facto annexation.
These actions undermine ongoing efforts for peace and stability in the region, including the 20 Point Plan for Gaza, and threaten any meaningful prospect of regional integration, the ministers added. They called on the Government of Israel to respect its international obligations and to refrain immediately from actions that would result in permanent alterations to the legal and administrative status of the occupied Palestinian Territory.
Specific Concerns and Calls for Accountability
The foreign ministers pointed to the unprecedented acceleration of Israel's settlement policy, notably with the approval of the E1 project and the publication of its tender. They described such actions as a deliberate and direct attack on the viability of the Palestinian State and the implementation of the two-State Solution. In this context, they reiterated their rejection of all measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character, and status of the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, and opposed any form of annexation.
In view of the alarming escalation in the West Bank, the ministers also called on Israel to put an end to settler violence against Palestinians, including by holding those responsible accountable. They reaffirmed their commitment to taking concrete steps, in accordance with international law, to counter the expansion of illegal settlements in Palestinian territory and policies and threats of forcible displacement and annexation.
Preservation of Holy Sites and Financial Obligations
During the Holy Month of Ramazan, the ministers stressed the importance of preserving the historic and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its Holy Sites, recognizing the special role of the historic Hashemite custodianship in this regard. They condemned repeated violations of the status quo in Jerusalem, which constitute a threat to regional stability.
Additionally, the ministers called for the immediate release by Israel of the withheld tax revenues due to the Palestinian Authority. According to the Paris Protocol, these revenues must be transferred to the Palestinian Authority and are vital for the provision of basic services for the Palestinian population in Gaza and on the West Bank.
This joint statement represents a significant international effort to address the ongoing conflict and uphold principles of justice and legality in the region.
