Over 80 UN member countries, including Israel’s immediate neighbors, have issued a statement condemning Israel’s most recent policies regarding the Occupied West Bank territory. In a joint statement, the UN Missions of 85 Member States Note Israel’s Policy of Occupation as a violation of International Law, and also warn of de facto annexation of the West Bank territory.
In the recent statement, they collectively expressed their concern regarding what Israel calls the unilateral annexation of the West Bank, and what the country calls self-defense or self-sufficient measures on Israel’s part. “We strongly condemn unilateral Israeli decisions and measures aimed at expanding Israel’s unlawful presence in the West Bank,” the Declaration states. The signatories urged Israel to reverse the measures and Positional annexation.
New Policy Measures Show International Israel Criticism
In the last two months Israel’s security cabinet decided to embed policies that extend the borders of the Occupied West Bank, and West Bank territories which the Palestinian Authority controlled under the 90’s Oslo Accords. These measures have deepened the backlash from the rightmost circles of the Israeli Government.
The Israeli Government’s Policy to promote the registering of West Bank Lands as “State Lands” has also intensified International Criticism of Israel’s West Bank policies as it pertains to the International demographic, legal, and territorial concerns regarding the Occupied West Bank.The joint UN statement cautioned about actions that may alter the demographic make-up, character, or status of the Palestinian territories that have been occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem. Such actions, as the statement explains, are likely to undermine peace efforts and make durable peace agreements to end the conflict, even more elusive.
Extensive Global Backing
The declaration was made on behalf of 85 member states of the UN. These included Saudi Arabia, China, and Russia. Many other international bodies, including the European Union, the Arab League, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, supported the statement.
UN Secretary General António Guterres has also expressed his position on the matter. He described Israel’s land registration policy as “destabilising” and “illegal”, and called on Israeli authorities to retract the policy.
Demography and the Dispute of Legality
There are over 500,000 Israelis living in settlements and outposts across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which Israel considers to fall under their jurisdiction. International law considers these settlements illegal, while Israel has its own interpretation of the law. On the other hand, there are about three million Palestinians in the territories that Israel has occupied since 1967.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a sensitive and complex issue and the West Bank is a primary locus of that complexity. As global diplomatic relations continue to deteriorate, the UN has taken note of the developing tensions, which may further impede any attempts to create peace and stability in the vicinity.
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