Riyadh (UNA/SPA) – The foreign ministers of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, the State of Qatar, the Republic of Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the Republic of Turkey strongly condemned the decision issued by Israel to classify lands in the occupied West Bank as so-called “state lands,” and to approve the commencement of procedures for registering and settling land ownership on a large scale in the occupied West Bank, for the first time since 1967.
They stressed that this illegal step constitutes a dangerous escalation aimed at accelerating illegal settlement activity, confiscating land, consolidating Israeli control, and imposing illegal Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territory, thereby undermining the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
They also stressed that these measures constitute a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention, as well as a violation of relevant Security Council resolutions, most notably Resolution 2334.
They explained that this decision contradicts the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice on the legal consequences arising from Israeli policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territory, which stressed the illegality of measures aimed at changing the legal, historical and demographic status of the occupied Palestinian territory, the need to end the occupation, and the prohibition of acquiring territory by force.
The ministers stressed that this step reflects an attempt to impose a new legal and administrative reality aimed at consolidating control over the occupied territory, thereby undermining the two-state solution, dispelling the prospects for establishing an independent and viable Palestinian state, and jeopardizing the chances of achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the region.
They reiterated their categorical rejection of all unilateral measures aimed at changing the legal, demographic and historical status of the occupied Palestinian territory, stressing that these policies represent a dangerous escalation that will increase tension and instability in the occupied Palestinian territory and the entire region.
They called on the international community to assume its responsibilities and take clear and decisive steps to stop these violations, ensure respect for international law, and safeguard the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them their right to self-determination, to end the occupation, and to establish their independent and sovereign state on the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
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