Jerusalem/Islamabad — Web Desk: The United Nations and several countries have strongly condemned Israel’s recent policy to designate parts of the West Bank as state-owned land, warning that the move is illegal and threatens regional stability.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Israel to revoke the decision, describing it as a violation of international law. The policy, approved by the Israeli government on Sunday, would allow the state to register land in certain occupied West Bank areas, reportedly to resolve legal disputes over land ownership.
The international community has widely criticized the measure. Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs termed it a “blatant violation” of UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions. A spokesperson urged global powers to reject the decision and hold Israel accountable to international law.
The European Union also demanded Israel reverse the move. EU spokesperson Anwar El Anouni said the annexation is illegal under international law and would escalate tensions in the region.
Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Egypt, Qatar, and Jordan, expressed concern, calling the policy a threat to peace efforts. Jordan’s King Abdullah II warned that such steps could heighten regional tensions. The Palestinian Authority called for urgent international intervention, stating that the policy undermines the foundations of a future Palestinian state.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk warned that attempts to permanently alter the demographics in the occupied territories are ongoing, raising serious human rights concerns.
In response, Israeli authorities announced heightened security around Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan. Thousands of officers will be deployed, and special permits with age restrictions may be required for Palestinians entering from the West Bank.
The West Bank has been under Israeli occupation since 1967, with over 500,000 Israeli settlers living alongside approximately three million Palestinians.
