Global Foreign Ministers and International Organizations Urge Israel to Reverse Policies Violating International Law and Threatening Regional Stability
In a unified diplomatic position, the Foreign Ministers of the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Federative Republic of Brazil, the French Republic, the Kingdom of Denmark, the Republic of Finland, the Republic of Iceland, the Republic of Indonesia, Ireland, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Kingdom of Norway, the State of Palestine, the Portuguese Republic, the State of Qatar, the Republic of Slovenia, the Kingdom of Spain, the Kingdom of Sweden, and the Republic of Türkiye — together with the Secretaries-General of the League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation — issued a strong joint statement condemning recent Israeli measures expanding control over the occupied West Bank.
The ministers strongly denounced a series of Israeli decisions introducing sweeping extensions of unlawful Israeli authority, including the reclassification of Palestinian land as so-called Israeli “state land,” the acceleration of illegal settlement expansion, and the deepening of Israeli administrative control across Palestinian territories.
Israeli Settlements Declared a Clear Violation of International Law
The signatories affirmed that Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian Territory constitute a flagrant breach of international law, referencing binding United Nations Security Council resolutions as well as the 2024 Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice.
According to the statement, the latest Israeli policies represent part of a broader trajectory aimed at changing facts on the ground and advancing de facto annexation of the West Bank, actions that directly undermine ongoing diplomatic initiatives aimed at restoring peace and stability in the Middle East, including the internationally supported 20-Point Plan for Gaza.
The ministers called upon the Government of Israel to immediately reverse these measures, fully respect its international legal obligations, and refrain from actions that would permanently alter the legal and administrative status of the occupied Palestinian Territory.
E1 Settlement Project Threatens Viability of a Palestinian State
The joint statement highlighted the unprecedented acceleration of settlement activity, particularly the approval and tender publication related to the E1 settlement project, describing it as a direct and deliberate threat to the territorial continuity and viability of a future Palestinian State.
The ministers reiterated their categorical rejection of all measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character, or legal status of Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem. The statement emphasized that any form of annexation is unacceptable and incompatible with international law.
Call to End Settler Violence in the West Bank
In light of escalating tensions and security concerns, the ministers urged Israel to take immediate action to halt settler violence against Palestinian civilians and to ensure accountability for perpetrators, stressing that impunity further destabilizes the region and undermines prospects for peace.
The participating countries reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing concrete diplomatic and legal measures, consistent with international law, aimed at countering the expansion of illegal settlements, preventing forcible displacement of Palestinians, and addressing policies that threaten annexation.
Protecting Jerusalem’s Historic and Legal Status During Ramadan
Marking the Holy Month of Ramadan, the ministers stressed the urgent importance of preserving the historic and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its Holy Sites. The statement recognized the special and historic role of the Hashemite custodianship in safeguarding these sacred locations.
The ministers condemned repeated violations of the established status quo in Jerusalem, warning that such actions pose serious risks to regional peace, religious coexistence, and broader international stability.
The joint statement also called for the immediate transfer of withheld Palestinian tax revenues by Israel to the Palestinian Authority in accordance with the Paris Protocol. The ministers emphasized that these funds are essential for maintaining basic public services and humanitarian support for Palestinians in both Gaza and the West Bank.
Renewed Commitment to a Just and Lasting Middle East Peace
Concluding the statement, the ministers reaffirmed their unwavering 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 United Nations resolutions grounded in the 4 June 1967 borders.
Echoing the principles outlined in the New York Declaration, the signatories stressed that ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains essential for regional peace, economic integration, and long-term stability. They affirmed that only the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and democratic Palestinian State can ensure peaceful coexistence among the peoples and nations of the region.
