Muslim, EU States Condemn Israel’s West Bank Move as “Unacceptable Annexation”

DID Press: A group of Muslim and European countries on Wednesday condemned Israel’s decision to reclaim land in the West Bank as “state property,” describing the move as an unacceptable form of annexation.

In a joint statement issued by Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Brazil, France, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Egypt, Pakistan, Luxembourg, Norway, Palestine, Portugal, Qatar, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the signatories said Israel’s recent measures were “far-reaching” and would accelerate illegal settlement activity.

The statement said the step—described as the first of its kind since 1967—violates international law, which prohibits an occupying power from seizing land in occupied territory. The new measures expand Israel’s civil authority in Areas A and B of the West Bank, which together account for roughly 40% of the territory.

“This is part of a clear trajectory aimed at altering the existing reality and advancing an unacceptable de facto annexation,” the statement said, urging Israel to immediately reverse the decisions, respect its international obligations, and refrain from actions that permanently change the legal and administrative status of the occupied Palestinian territory.

The countries also reiterated opposition to altering the demographic composition, identity and legal status of the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, called for concrete steps to counter illegal settlement expansion, forced displacement and annexation policies, and condemned repeated violations of the status quo in Jerusalem, warning they threaten regional stability.