International condemnation of Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank
Widespread praise for the Arab and Islamic diplomatic stance
The Muslim World League welcomed the strong statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which was joined by numerous Arab, Islamic, and friendly countries, as well as the League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. This unified stance condemned the decisions and illegal actions of the Israeli occupation government in the occupied West Bank, which aim to expand settlements and legalize settlement outposts.
In a statement issued by the Muslim World League's General Secretariat, the Secretary-General, Chairman of the Council of Muslim Scholars, His Eminence Sheikh Dr. Muhammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, reiterated the warning about the grave repercussions of the Israeli government's continued violations of international and humanitarian laws and norms. Dr. Al-Issa commended the clear and firm commitment expressed in the statement to take concrete steps, in accordance with international law, to confront the expansion of illegal settlements in the Palestinian territory and the policies of forced displacement and annexation that threaten to undermine any chance of achieving a just peace.
The historical and legal context of the settlements
The issue of Israeli settlements dates back to the aftermath of the 1967 war and Israel's occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. Since then, the policy of settlement construction and expansion has continued despite being a blatant violation of international law. The Fourth Geneva Convention, a cornerstone of international humanitarian law, prohibits an occupying power from transferring its own civilian population into the territory it occupies. Numerous UN Security Council resolutions, most notably Resolution 2334, have affirmed the illegality of the settlements and deemed them a major obstacle to peace and a two-state solution.
The importance of the international stance and its expected impact
This collective condemnation is of paramount importance on several levels. Domestically, it represents political and moral support for the Palestinian people, who suffer from land confiscation and restrictions on their movement due to settlement expansion. Regionally, this unified stance, led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, sends a clear message that the region's core issues, foremost among them the Palestinian cause, remain a top priority, and that attempts to impose a fait accompli are unacceptable. Internationally, these diplomatic statements increase pressure on the occupying power, expose its practices before the international community, and call upon influential global powers to uphold their responsibilities in protecting international law and preserving the prospects for peace.
A call for effective international action
In closing, Dr. Al-Issa called upon the international community and all peace-loving nations to take collective and individual measures to end the violations perpetrated by the occupying power in the occupied Palestinian territory. He stressed the necessity of implementing international resolutions, including Security Council resolutions and the New York Declaration for a two-state solution, endorsed by the UN General Assembly, which affirms the Palestinian people's inalienable historical right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent state, as the only path to achieving a just and comprehensive peace that guarantees security and stability for the entire region.
