More than 80 countries and organisations, including the UN Arab Group representing 22 Arab states and members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), have strongly condemned the Israeli government’s decision to launch a unilateral “land registration process” in the occupied West Bank.
This move would “formalise” the seizure of Palestinian land, they say.
Representatives of the UN Arab Group and OIC members delivered a joint statement to the press at United Nations headquarters in New York.
Riyad Mansour, the Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, said he was speaking on behalf of more than 80 countries and organisations. “We strongly condemn Israel’s unilateral decisions and measures aimed at expanding its illegal presence in the West Bank. Such decisions are in violation of Israel’s obligations under international law and must be rescinded immediately,” he said.
Mansour stressed that they firmly oppose any attempts by Israel to annex Palestinian territory. He reiterated their rejection of all measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character and status of the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem.
He underlined that such actions constitute violations of international law and warned that these policies undermine ongoing efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region. He added that they also jeopardise the prospects of reaching a comprehensive peace agreement that would bring an end to the conflict.
Mansour recalled Israel’s obligations under UN resolutions and international law, reaffirming their commitment to the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and to the implementation of a two-state solution.
Israel’s decision to “formalise” land seizure
According to Israel’s state broadcaster, the government in Tel Aviv has decided to resume a land registration process in the West Bank for the first time since 1967.
The proposal, put forward by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Defence Minister Yisrael Katz, was approved by the government.
Under the decision, land in Area C — which makes up approximately 61 per cent of the West Bank and remains under full Israeli control — is to be registered as “state property”.
The process will include property registration, approval of sales and the collection of fees, and is expected to effectively sideline the Palestinian Authority’s powers in these areas.
Israeli media report that around 15 per cent of Area C is to be gradually registered by 2030.
While Israeli officials have defended the move as a step to “strengthen settlement activity”, the Palestinian side and countries in the region view it as an initiative that lays the groundwork for the de facto annexation of the West Bank.
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