Saudi Arabia, a number of brotherly and friendly countries, the Secretary-General of the Arab League, and the Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation have confirmed, through the following statement, their condemnation in the strongest terms of the recent series of Israeli decisions that result in a massive expansion of Israel’s illegal control over the West Bank.
We are the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Federal Republic of Brazil, the Republic of France, the Kingdom of Denmark, the Republic of Finland, the Republic of Iceland, the Republic of Indonesia, Ireland, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Kingdom of Norway, the State of Palestine, the Republic of Portugal, the State of Qatar, the Republic of Slovenia, and the Kingdom. Spain, the Kingdom of Sweden, the Republic of Türkiye, and two Secretary-Generals. As the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, we condemn in the strongest terms a series of recent Israeli decisions introducing a wide-ranging expansion of illegal Israeli control over the West Bank. These changes range from the reclassification of Palestinian land as so-called Israeli “state land,” to the acceleration of illegal settlement activity, to further tightening of Israeli control.
serious violation of international law
We unequivocally affirm that Israel’s illegal settlements and decisions to consolidate them are serious violations of international law, including relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the International Court of Justice’s 2024 Recommended Opinion. These latest decisions form part of a clear path forward aimed at changing the reality on the ground and moving towards unacceptable de facto annexation. It would also undermine continued efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region, including the 20-point plan for Gaza, and threaten real prospects for regional integration. We call on the Israeli government to immediately withdraw, respect its international obligations and refrain from taking any steps that would result in a permanent change in the legal and administrative status of the occupied Palestinian territories.
These decisions were taken following an unprecedented acceleration of Israel’s settlement policy, including the approval of the E1 project and publication of tender documents. These measures constitute a direct and deliberate attack on the foundations of the establishment of a Palestinian state and the implementation of a two-state solution. In this regard, we reaffirm our rejection of all measures aimed at changing the demographic composition, character and legal status of the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem. We oppose any form of annexation.
Holding those responsible for violations accountable
In light of the disturbing escalation in the West Bank, we also call on Israel to end settler violence against Palestinians, including by holding accountable those responsible for these violations.
We reaffirm our commitment to take concrete steps to address the expansion of illegal settlements in the Palestinian territories, as well as policies and threats of forced displacement and annexation, in accordance with international law.
During the holy month of Ramadan, we also affirm the importance of preserving the existing historical and legal status of Jerusalem and its holy sites, and recognize the special role of the historic Hashemite Custodians in this regard. We condemn repeated violations of the status quo in Jerusalem, which pose a threat to regional stability.
Ministers call on Israel to immediately release withheld tax revenues owed to the Palestinian Authority. These revenues must be transferred to the Palestinian Authority in accordance with the Paris Protocol, as they are essential for providing basic services to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
We reaffirm our firm determination to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East, based on the two-state solution, in line with the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant United Nations resolutions, and in accordance with the policy of June 4, 1967. As stated in the New York Declaration, ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is essential to achieving peace, stability and regional integration. Coexistence between the peoples and countries of the region can only be achieved through the establishment of an independent, sovereign and democratic Palestinian state.
The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and several brotherly and friendly countries, together with the two secretaries-general of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, strongly condemned a series of recent Israeli decisions that have led to the widespread expansion of Israel’s illegal control over the West Bank through the following statement:
We, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Federal Republic of Brazil, the Republic of France, the Kingdom of Denmark, the Republic of Finland, the Republic of Iceland, the Republic of Indonesia, Ireland, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Kingdom of Norway, the State of Palestine, the Republic of Poland, The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Rutgar, the State of Qatar, the Republic of Slovenia, the Kingdom of Spain, the Kingdom of Sweden, the Republic of Turkey, and the Secretaries-General of the League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation strongly condemned a series of recent Israeli decisions that have led to a widespread expansion of Israel’s illegal control over the West Bank. These changes include a far-reaching reclassification of Palestinian land as Israel’s so-called “state land,” accelerating illegal settlement activity, and strengthening Israeli governance.
serious violation of international law
We unequivocally affirm that Israel’s illegal settlements and decisions aimed at promoting them are serious violations of relevant international law, including United Nations Security Council resolutions and the 2024 Recommended Opinion of the International Court of Justice. These recent decisions are part of a clear objective to change the reality on the ground and move towards unacceptable de facto annexation. They also continue to undermine efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region, including the 20-point plan on Gaza, threatening any real prospects for regional integration. We call on the Israeli government to immediately reverse these decisions, respect its international obligations and refrain from taking any action that would result in a permanent change in the legal and administrative status of the occupied Palestinian territories.
These decisions follow an unprecedented acceleration of Israeli settlement policy, including the approval of the E1 project and the announcement of tenders. These actions constitute a direct and deliberate attack on the elements necessary for the establishment of a Palestinian state and the implementation of a two-state solution. In this regard, we reaffirm our rejection of all measures aimed at changing the demographic composition, character and legal status of the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem. We oppose any form of annexation.
Responsibility for violations
In light of the alarming escalation in the West Bank, we also call on Israel to end settler violence against Palestinians, including by holding accountable those responsible for these violations.
We reaffirm our commitment to taking concrete steps to address the expansion of illegal settlements in the Palestinian territories, as well as policies and threats of forced displacement and annexation, in accordance with international law.
During the blessed month of Ramadan, we also emphasize the importance of preserving the historical and legal status quo of Jerusalem and its holy sites and recognize the special role of the Historic Hashemite Custodians in this regard. We condemn repeated violations of the status quo in Jerusalem, which threaten regional stability.
The ministers called on Israel to immediately release withheld tax revenues due to the Palestinian Authority. These revenues must be transferred to the Palestinian Authority in accordance with the Paris Protocol, as they are essential for providing essential services to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
We reaffirm our firm determination to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East based on a two-state solution, in line with the Arab Peace Initiative and related United Nations resolutions, and in accordance with the policy of June 4, 1967. As stated in the New York Declaration, ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is essential to achieving peace, stability and regional integration. Coexistence between the peoples and nations of the region can only be achieved through the establishment of an independent, sovereign and democratic Palestinian state.
