Saudi Arabia and seven other countries condemn Israel's decision to confiscate West Bank land
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 issued a joint statement expressing their strong condemnation and categorical rejection of the recent Israeli steps aimed at changing the historical and legal status quo in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Details of the Israeli decision and its repercussions
This firm stance came in response to the Israeli government's decision to classify vast areas of land in the occupied West Bank as "state land," and its announcement of initiating procedures to register and settle land ownership. This move constitutes a dangerous precedent, the first of its kind since Israel's occupation of the West Bank in 1967. This measure paves the way for the confiscation of more Palestinian land under the guise of "legality" from an Israeli perspective, thus facilitating settlement expansion.
A blatant violation of international law
The ministers affirmed in their statement that these measures constitute a flagrant violation of international law, specifically the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits an occupying power from transferring its own population into the territory it occupies or altering the demographic and geographic character of occupied territories. The statement further noted that designating land as "state property" is an attempt to legitimize settlements, which are considered illegal under UN resolutions, including Security Council Resolution 2334.
Historical background and context of the conflict
This move comes within the context of long-standing policies aimed at controlling Area C of the West Bank, which constitutes approximately 60% of its area. Historically, Israel has relied on old Ottoman and British laws to justify the confiscation of land whose owners do not possess modern title deeds. However, the transition to a comprehensive "land ownership settlement" phase represents a qualitative escalation aimed at definitively resolving the land issue in favor of the settlements, thus eliminating any possibility of establishing a geographically contiguous Palestinian state.
Risks to the two-state solution and regional stability
The statement warned that Israel's continued unilateral policies completely undermine the chances of achieving a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution. Observers believe these actions complicate the political and security landscape in the region and exacerbate tensions, as the issues of land and settlements are considered core final status issues that cannot be addressed outside the framework of negotiations. The ministers called on the international community to assume its responsibilities and take immediate action to halt these violations, which threaten regional and international peace and security.
