More than 80 UN member states and several international organizations on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, issued a joint condemnation of recent Israeli decisions aimed at expanding Israel's "unlawful presence" in the occupied West Bank. The statement, delivered by Palestine's Permanent Observer to the United Nations, Ambassador Riyad Mansour, at a press conference at UN headquarters in New York, described the measures as violations of international law that must be immediately reversed.
"I have the honor to deliver the following statement on behalf of 80 States and a number of organizations on the latest Israeli decisions regarding the occupied West Bank," Mansour said. "We strongly condemn unilateral Israeli decisions and measures aimed at expanding Israel's unlawful presence in the West Bank. Such decisions are contrary to Israel's obligations under international law and must be immediately reversed," he added, underscoring the group's "strong opposition to any form of annexation."
The statement was endorsed by countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Latin America, as well as key organizations including the European Union, the League of Arab States, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
The signatories reiterated their rejection of "all measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character and status of the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem." They warned that such actions violate international law, undermine regional peace and stability efforts, contradict the principles of the Comprehensive Plan (likely referring to broader peace frameworks), and jeopardize prospects for a negotiated peace agreement to end the conflict.
The group reaffirmed their commitment—outlined in the New York Declaration—to take concrete measures in accordance with international law, relevant UN resolutions, and the July 19, 2024, advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). That landmark ICJ opinion declared Israel's continued occupation of Palestinian territories unlawful and called for the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, along with an end to the occupation.
The statement emphasized that a "just and lasting peace," grounded in UN resolutions, the Madrid terms of reference, the principle of land for peace, and the Arab Peace Initiative, remains the only viable path to security and stability in the region.
The condemnation follows Israel's recent approval of measures to register large areas of the occupied West Bank as "state property"—a process resuming for the first time since the 1967 occupation. The decision, approved by the Israeli cabinet on Sunday, February 15, 2026, and spearheaded by far-right ministers including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, and Defence Minister Israel Katz, targets land in Area C (about 60% of the West Bank under full Israeli control per the Oslo Accords). If Palestinians cannot prove ownership, the land could be declared state property, facilitating settlement expansion and potentially leading to dispossession.
Palestinian officials and rights groups have labeled the move "de facto annexation," warning it paves the way for formal absorption of the territory and destroys prospects for a viable Palestinian state as envisioned in UN resolutions.
Since Israel's military offensive in Gaza began on October 8, 2023, operations in the West Bank—including East Jerusalem—have intensified. Palestinian authorities report at least 1,114 Palestinians killed, over 11,500 wounded, and around 22,000 arrested in the territory during this period, alongside widespread displacement, home demolitions, settler violence, and accelerated settlement construction.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the land registration decision on Monday, February 16, 2026, stating it risks dispossessing Palestinians, expands unlawful Israeli control, and erodes the two-state solution. He called for its immediate reversal, echoing warnings from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk about accelerating dispossession, forced transfers, and violations of cultural rights at key sites.
The joint statement reflects growing international alarm over Israel's policies in the West Bank amid the broader Israel-Palestine conflict. Signatories urged reversal of the measures to preserve the possibility of a negotiated two-state solution based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.
As tensions persist, the international community continues to press for compliance with international law and a return to meaningful peace negotiations.
