Joint Statement by Foreign Ministers of 19 Countries Condemns Israel’s Recent Moves to Expand Control Over Occupied West Bank
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Overview
Foreign ministers from 19 nations issued a joint communiqué sharply condemning Israel’s recent decisions aimed at extending its control over the occupied West Bank. The statement was released with the participation of the secretaries‑general of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), signalling a broadened diplomatic mobilisation.
Signatory Countries
The declaration brings together states from the Arab and Middle‑Eastern region as well as several European nations, plus two major emerging economies:
- Arab & Middle‑Eastern states: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Turkey
- European states: France, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden
- Other signatories: Brazil, Indonesia
Main Accusations
The ministers denounce measures they consider contrary to international law, including:
- Re‑classification of Palestinian land as “state land.”
- Accelerated settlement activity that they say breaches United Nations Security Council resolutions and the 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Warning of De‑Facto Annexation
The communiqué warns of a “clear trajectory” toward the de‑facto annexation of Palestinian territories. The signatories argue that these policies:
- Undermine ongoing peace efforts.
- Threaten regional stability, including initiatives related to the Gaza Strip.
Specific Settlement Project Highlighted
The statement calls out the “E1” settlement project, describing it as a “direct and deliberate attack” on the prospects for a viable Palestinian state. The signatories reaffirm their rejection of any attempts to:
- Alter the demographic balance of the occupied territories.
- Change the legal status of lands captured in 1967, including East Jerusalem.
Demands to Israel
The international bloc urges Israel to:
- Immediately cancel all colonial expansion decisions.
- Stop settler‑related violence against Palestinians.
- Prosecute those responsible for such acts.
- Release the tax revenues owed to the Palestinian Authority under existing agreements, ensuring continuity of essential services.
Protection of Jerusalem’s Status
The ministers stress the need to respect the historic and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its holy sites, recalling the role of the Hashemite custodianship. They warn that a multiplication of violations in the holy city could:
- Heighten tensions.
- Further destabilise the entire region.
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