Delegations from 85 United Nations member states issued a joint statement condemning Israel's plans and measures to expand control over areas in the West Bank. They said this could amount to de facto annexation of Palestinian territory and constitutes a serious violation of international law. They warned that registering land as "state property" is undermining prospects for the peace process.
Permanent representatives to the United Nations from 85 member states released a joint statement on Tuesday, 17 Feb 2024 GMT+7, strongly condemning Israel's expansion of control in the West Bank. They stated that such conduct could amount to "de facto annexation" and called on Israel to immediately revoke these measures.
The joint statement said, "We strongly condemn Israel's unilateral decisions and measures aimed at illegally expanding its presence in the West Bank. Such decisions violate Israel's obligations under international law and must be reversed immediately."
Additionally, the group of member states emphasized their opposition to "annexation of territory in all forms," stating that any measures seeking to alter the demographic composition, characteristics, or status of Palestinian lands occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, are unacceptable.
This condemnation comes after last week when Israel's security cabinet, supported by right-wing ministers, approved a set of measures to tighten control over areas in the West Bank originally under the Palestinian Authority's administration according to the Oslo Accords of the 1990s.
Furthermore, on Sunday, the Israeli government approved a process to register land in the West Bank as "state property," sparking global outrage. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that this policy is "illegal" and causes the situation to be "unstable."
The statement was issued on behalf of 85 member states, including major powers and important international organizations such as Saudi Arabia, China, Russia, the European Union, the Arab League, andthe Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
The statement added that Israel's measures are undermining efforts to build peace and security in the region, as well as damaging the chances of reaching a future conflict resolution agreement.
Currently, more than 500,000 Israelis live in settlements and outposts throughout the West Bank (excluding East Jerusalem, which Israel annexed earlier), considered illegal under international law, amid around 3 million Palestinians living in the territory, which Israel has occupied since 1967.
. . . SourceAFP