Saudi Arabia, 19 states condemn Israeli West Bank settlement measures
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Riyadh, February 23, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Brazil, France, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Egypt, Jordan, Luxembourg, Norway, Palestine, Portugal, Qatar, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Türkiye, together with the secretaries-general of the League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, condemned recent Israeli decisions expanding control in the West Bank.
The measures include reclassification of Palestinian land as Israeli “state land”, acceleration of settlement activity and steps entrenching Israeli administrative control.
The actions were described as violating international law, United Nations Security Council resolutions and the 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, and as advancing de facto annexation.
Reference was made to the approval of the E1 project and publication of its tender, characterised as part of an accelerated settlement policy affecting the viability of a Palestinian state and the implementation of the two-state solution.
Concern was expressed that the measures undermine regional stability, including ongoing diplomatic efforts such as the 20 Point Plan for Gaza, and threaten prospects for integration.
A call was issued for reversal of the decisions and for refraining from permanent changes to the legal and administrative status of the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.
The joint position rejects annexation, demographic alteration of territory occupied since 1967 and settlement expansion, and urges an end to settler violence and accountability for those responsible.
The ministers also called for the immediate transfer of withheld Palestinian tax revenues in accordance with the Paris Protocol, describing the funds as essential for basic services in Gaza and the West Bank.
Commitment was reaffirmed to a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution, in line with the Arab Peace Initiative, relevant United Nations resolutions and the 4 June 1967 lines.
