Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and EU Nations Condemn Israel’s West Bank Settlement Expansion

In a joint statement, foreign ministers from over a dozen countries denounce the reclassification of Palestinian lands as a “flagrant violation of international law” and a move toward “de facto annexation.”

SHARJAH – A coalition of nations, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, France, and Spain, has issued a strong joint condemnation of recent Israeli decisions regarding the occupied West Bank, labeling the actions as illegal and a significant threat to regional peace.

The joint statement, released late Monday by the Turkish Foreign Ministry, criticizes what it describes as sweeping changes that extend Israeli control over Palestinian territory. The signatories specifically highlighted the reclassification of Palestinian land as Israeli “state land,” which they argue accelerates illegal settlement activity and entrenches Israeli administration.

“These changes are wide-ranging, reclassifying Palestinian land as so-called Israeli ‘state land’, accelerating illegal settlement activity, and further entrenching Israeli administration,” the statement read.

The condemnation follows a February 15 decision by the Israeli cabinet to approve measures that tighten control over the West Bank and simplify the process for settlers to purchase land. Palestinian leaders have previously described such moves as a form of “de facto annexation.”

International Law and Regional Stability

The joint statement, also signed by Qatar, Brazil, Turkey, and the heads of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), asserts that these actions undermine the foundations for a two-state solution.

The foreign ministers declared that the settlements and the policies supporting them are “a flagrant violation of international law” and represent an unacceptable step toward de facto annexation.

Furthermore, the statement warned that these measures undermine ongoing efforts for peace and stability in the region and threaten any meaningful prospect of regional integration. The West Bank remains a central territory in the quest for a future independent Palestinian state, currently under Israeli military control with limited Palestinian self-rule in specific areas administered by the Palestinian Authority.