Ramallah: Broad international condemnation has arisen in response to recent Israeli decisions to expand control and colonial settlements in the West Bank. The Foreign Ministers of multiple nations, including the State of Palestine, Brazil, France, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Egypt, Jordan, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, alongside the Secretary Generals of the League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, jointly issued a statement denouncing these actions.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the statement criticized Israel's reclassification of Palestinian land as Israeli 'state land', the acceleration of illegal settlement activity, and the deepening of Israeli administration in the area. The actions are deemed a violation of international law, including United Nations Security Council Resolutions and the 2024 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice. The statement emphasizes that these moves aim to alter the reality on the ground, advancing de facto annexation, and undermine ongoing peace efforts, including the 20 Point Plan for Gaza.
The statement further highlighted the approval of the E1 project and the publication of its tender, describing these as direct threats to the viability of a Palestinian State and the two-State Solution. It reaffirmed opposition to any attempts to change the demographic composition, character, and status of the occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.
The statement calls for an end to settler violence against Palestinians and accountability for those responsible. It also highlights the commitment to countering the expansion of illegal settlements and policies of forcible displacement and annexation.
During the Holy Month of Ramadan, the statement stresses the need to preserve the historic and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its Holy Sites, acknowledging the Hashemite custodianship's special role. It condemns violations that threaten regional stability.
Ministers also urged the immediate release of withheld tax revenues owed to the Palestinian Authority by Israel, as per the Paris Protocol. These funds are crucial for providing essential services to the Palestinian population in Gaza and the West Bank.
The statement concludes with a reaffirmation of commitment to achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the Middle East, based on the Two-State Solution, the Arab Peace Initiative, and relevant UN resolutions. It emphasizes that ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is vital for regional peace, stability, and integration, envisioning a future where an independent, sovereign, and democratic Palestinian State coexists peacefully with its neighbors.
