Various foreign ministers condemn Israel’s West Bank measures as unlawful expansion
“The changes are far-reaching, reclassifying Palestinian land as so-called Israeli ‘state land,’ accelerating illegal settlement activities and strengthening Israeli administration,” the statement said.
Foreign ministers from Brazil, France, Spain, Turkey and various other states have condemned Israeli decisions that they say introduce sweeping expansions of illegal Israeli control over the West Bank.
“The changes are far-reaching, reclassifying Palestinian lands as so-called Israeli ‘state lands’, accelerating illegal settlement activities and further strengthening Israeli administration,” said the joint statement, released Monday evening by the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
Other countries signing the declaration include Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Qatar, as well as the leaders of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
On February 15, the Israeli government approved new measures aimed at strengthening Israeli control over the West Bank and making it easier for settlers to purchase land, a move the Palestinians called “de facto annexation.”
The West Bank is one of the territories that the Palestinians are seeking for a future independent state. Much of it is under Israeli military control, with limited Palestinian autonomy in some areas managed by the Western-backed Palestinian Authority.
An Israeli flag flies, as part of the Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim is visible in the background, in the West Bank, August 14, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)
Joint statement says decisions to annex World Bank violate international law
The joint statement said the settlements and decisions aimed at fostering them constitute “a flagrant violation of international law” and a step toward “unacceptable de facto annexation.”
They also undermine ongoing efforts for peace and stability in the region and threaten any meaningful prospect of regional integration.
The topic of West Bank annexation has been widely debated around the world, sparking varying opinions on how Israel should approach the issue.
Last week, the UN met to discuss the Israeli government’s decisions to further tighten control in the West Bank.
The session was initiated by British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. Foreign ministers from the United Kingdom, Pakistan, Indonesia, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain are expected to attend.
Israel was represented at the meeting by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who is expected to meet with US Ambassador to the UN Mike Walz before the session.
“Gaza must not remain stuck in a no-man’s land between peace and war,” Cooper said, referring to repeated ceasefire violations and Israeli strikes.
She also called the surge in settler violence against West Bank Palestinians “deeply, deeply wrong,” and called it counterproductive to the potential for future peace.
