Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a sharp diplomatic escalation, 20 Arab, Islamic, and European countries, along with several international bodies, issued a strongly worded joint statement condemning what they described as Israel’s latest measures in the occupied West Bank, warning that further action could follow.
The signatories denounced the recent Israeli decisions as steps aimed at imposing a de facto and unacceptable annexation of Palestinian territory. They argued that such measures risk permanently undermining prospects for peace and destabilizing the wider region.
Rejection of Changes to Occupied Territory
The joint statement expressed unequivocal opposition to any attempt to alter the demographic composition or legal and historical status of land occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem. The countries emphasized that unilateral actions that seek to entrench control over the West Bank contravene international law and long-standing United Nations resolutions.
The statement characterized the moves as a practical step toward absorbing large parts of the West Bank and legitimizing further settlement expansion. Israeli settlements in the territory have long been considered illegal under international law by much of the international community, though Israel disputes that characterization.
The signatories also warned that the measures not only threaten the viability of the two-state solution, widely seen as the cornerstone of international peace efforts but also obstruct broader regional and international initiatives aimed at stabilizing Gaza and advancing diplomatic frameworks for a political settlement.
Calls for Reversal and Accountability
The countries and organizations called on Israeli authorities to immediately reverse the contested decisions and halt what they described as escalating settler violence in the West Bank. They further urged that individuals responsible for violations and attacks be held accountable under the law.
Although the statement did not detail specific retaliatory measures, its language signaled the possibility of “concrete steps” should the situation continue to deteriorate, reflecting growing impatience among key regional and international actors.
Mounting International Pressure
The diplomatic rebuke comes amid heightened tensions across Palestinian territories and renewed scrutiny of Israeli policies in the West Bank. Several European governments in recent months have debated stronger measures in response to settlement expansion, while Arab and Islamic states have intensified coordination in multilateral forums.
Analysts note that coordinated statements involving both regional and European actors are relatively rare and suggest an effort to consolidate pressure through unified messaging. Whether such diplomatic signals translate into tangible policy changes, such as sanctions, trade measures, or recognition initiatives remains to be seen.
As developments unfold, the issue of annexation and settlement expansion continues to test the resilience of diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a negotiated settlement to the decades-long Israeli–Palestinian conflict.
