The Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, Qatar, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, and Türkiye have condemned Israel’s decision to label parts of the occupied West Bank as state land and approve procedures for land registration and settlement. This is a concern to the United States, being Israel’s strongest ally.
According to a statement dated Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the Foreign Ministers described the move as illegal, a grave escalation, and a step that accelerates settlement activity, confiscates land, and entrenches Israeli control over Palestinian territory.
“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 Türkiye strongly condemn the decision issued by Israel to designate lands in the occupied West Bank as so called “state land” and approve procedures for the registration and settlement of land ownership across extensive areas of the occupied West Bank for the first time since 1967,” read part of the statement.
The ministers added that it violates international law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention, UN Security Council resolutions, and the International Court of Justice advisory opinion, which prohibits altering the legal, historical, or demographic status of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Additionally, the ministers called for the international community to take decisive action to halt these violations, uphold international law, and protect the Palestinian people’s rights.
“The Foreign Ministers call upon the international community to assume its responsibilities and take clear and decisive steps to halt these violations, ensure respect for international law, and safeguard the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them their right to self-determination ending the occupation, and to establish their independent and sovereign State on the lines of 4 June 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital,”
Islamic Nations Condemn Israel Over West Bank Land Designation
The Foreign Ministers highlighted that the decision breaches the Fourth Geneva Convention, which protects civilians in occupied territories and prohibits the occupation of land for purposes other than military necessity.
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They also stated that the move contradicts key United Nations Security Council resolutions, which condemn Israeli settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territories and call for an end to actions that alter the territory’s status.
The ministers highlighted that Israel’s actions breach the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion, which states that measures intended to change the legal, historical, or demographic status of the Occupied Palestinian Territory are illegal.
“The desicion also contradicts the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice concerning the legal consequences arising from Israeli policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which underscored the illegality of measures intended to alter the legal, historical, and demographic status of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the obligation to end the occupation, and the prohibition of the acquisition of territory by force,” read part of the statement.
The ICJ reinforced the obligation to end the occupation and prohibited the acquisition of territory by force, principles that the ministers argue Israel is violating with this new designation.
Israeli Move to Designate large Part of the West Bank as State Land
The Israeli government has advanced the registration of territory in the occupied West Bank as state land.
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According to the Foreign Ministry, the move was described as an administrative measure to bring order to land registration, but government ministers made clear the intent was to increase settlement and entrench a grip on the land.
“This is a significant security and administrative step aimed at ensuring full control, enforcement, and freedom of action for the State of Israel in the area.”
This will allow private citizens to buy land and shift parts of the administration in the territory from the military to civilian authorities.
In the new move, it will apply to what is known as Area C of the West Bank, about 60% of the territory and home to an estimated 180,000 to 300,000 Palestinians and to a settler population of at least 325,500.
Israel previously captured the West Bank and began establishing Jewish settlements there, which are considered illegal under international law.
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Amazes me that Isreal is to play by all the rules, but Iran and all their little proxies don’t. Keep attacking to wipe Isreal off the map. My understanding is Isreal has tried many times to settle this mess with the Arabs. Trading land for peace, tried to give them their own state, and every time the Arabs refuse and back to fighting. When Isreal is defending itself in a war they didn’t start, why are they the bad guys. I don’t see where any other country would not do the same. I figure if Isreal is ever back against the wall.
They will nuke the whole bunch into a glow in the dark glass crater. Assume the Arabs destroy Isreal, then what are they going to do with the land? Everything Isreal gave them was leveled because they are stupid and then wonder why they are poor and begging for aid only to use it to build more tunnels and rockets. Why not get along and both sides prosper. Stop killing each other over political/ religious ego. Believe what you want and let others do the same. not worth killing each other over it.
Amazes me what people do to each other in the name of God. If your God is such a bad ass, why would he need you to kill for him. They could just do it themself. World full of Fools.