80 UN States Condemn Israel’s West Bank Moves

A broad coalition of United Nations member states has strongly criticized Israel’s latest measures in the occupied West Bank, describing them as unlawful steps toward annexation. The warning comes amid renewed international scrutiny of Israel’s land policies and their implications for regional stability.

Coalition of 85 States Issues Joint Condemnation

Speaking at the United Nations on Tuesday, Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour delivered a joint statement on behalf of 85 member states and several international organizations.

“We strongly condemn unilateral Israeli decisions and measures aimed at expanding Israel’s unlawful presence in the West Bank,” Mansour said. He stressed that such actions contradict Israel’s obligations under international law and “must be immediately reversed.”

The coalition underlined its firm opposition to “any form of annexation” and rejected all measures altering the demographic composition, character and status of Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem.

Signatories to the statement included Australia, Canada, China, France, Pakistan, Russia, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates, alongside the European Union, the League of Arab States and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Land Registration in Area C Sparks Alarm

The joint statement followed Israel’s decision to implement land registration in Area C of the West Bank for the first time since 1967, when the occupation began.

Area C constitutes roughly 60% of the West Bank, according to the settlement monitoring group Peace Now. Critics argue that formalizing land registration under Israeli authority would consolidate control over large portions of Palestinian territory.

The coalition warned that such measures undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts and jeopardize prospects for a negotiated settlement, including the November Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict — an agreement between Israel and Hamas fighters aimed at ending the war.

UN Chief and ICJ Cite Legal Violations

Earlier this week, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres cautioned that Israel’s land registration initiative could lead to “the dispossession of Palestinians of their property” and expand Israeli control in the occupied territory.

Guterres described the move as potentially destabilizing and unlawful, referencing a landmark 2024 advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice. The court concluded that Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza is unlawful and must end.

In its ruling, the ICJ stated that Israel’s “abuse of its status as the occupying power” renders its presence in the occupied Palestinian territory unlawful. It further determined that Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem violate international law.

According to the court, approximately 465,000 Israeli settlers live in the occupied West Bank across about 300 settlements and outposts considered illegal under international law.

Child Killed in Jordan Valley Incident

Separately on Tuesday, a 13-year-old Palestinian child was killed and two other children seriously injured in the central Jordan Valley of the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa.

The report said the incident involved ammunition discarded by the Israeli military. The injured children, aged 12 and 14, were receiving hospital treatment.

The developments add further tension to an already volatile situation, as international actors warn that unilateral measures risk deepening instability and diminishing prospects for a lasting peace agreement.