Eight Nations Including Pakistan Issue Strong Condemnation of Israeli West Bank Land Decision
The Foreign Ministers of eight prominent nations, including Pakistan, have issued a powerful joint condemnation of Israel's recent decision to designate lands in the Occupied West Bank as so-called "state land". This significant diplomatic statement was released by Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad, representing a unified stance from key regional players.
Unprecedented Land Registration Procedures Condemned
In their strongly worded statement, the Foreign Ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar expressed profound concern over Israel's approval of procedures for land registration and settlement ownership across extensive areas of the occupied West Bank. This marks the first such approval since 1967, representing a significant escalation in Israeli settlement policy.
The ministers declared this illegal step constitutes a grave escalation specifically designed to accelerate illegal settlement activity, facilitate land confiscation, entrench Israeli control, and apply unlawful Israeli sovereignty over occupied Palestinian territory. They emphasized this action fundamentally undermines the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and represents a dangerous departure from established international norms.
Flagrant Violations of International Law Cited
The Foreign Ministers of these Arab and Islamic countries affirmed that these measures represent a flagrant violation of multiple international legal frameworks. They specifically cited violations of:
- International law and international humanitarian law
- The Fourth Geneva Convention
- Relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 2334
The statement further noted that this decision directly contradicts the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice regarding legal consequences arising from Israeli policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territory. That opinion had clearly underscored the illegality of measures intended to alter the legal, historical, and demographic status of the occupied Palestinian territory.
Threat to Two-State Solution and Regional Peace
The joint statement warned that this Israeli step reflects a deliberate attempt to impose a new legal and administrative reality designed to consolidate control over occupied land. This action, according to the ministers, directly undermines the Two-State solution, erodes prospects for establishing an independent and viable Palestinian State, and jeopardizes the attainment of just and comprehensive peace throughout the region.
The Foreign Ministers reiterated their categorical rejection of all unilateral measures aimed at altering the legal, demographic, and historical status of the occupied Palestinian territory. They stressed that such policies constitute a dangerous escalation that will further heighten tensions and instability not only in the occupied Palestinian territory but throughout the entire region.
Call for International Community Action
In their concluding remarks, the Foreign Ministers called upon the international community to assume its responsibilities and take clear, decisive steps to halt these violations. They urged global actors to ensure respect for international law and safeguard the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.
The ministers specifically emphasized the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, ending the occupation, and establishing their independent and sovereign State on the lines of 4 June 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. This unified statement represents one of the strongest collective diplomatic responses to recent Israeli settlement policies and signals growing regional concern about the future of the Palestinian territories.
