Over 80 UN member states condemn Israel’s de facto annexation of West Bank

UN warns that Israel’s plan will lead to widespread dispossession of Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank.Published On 18 Feb 2026More than 80 United Nations member states have condemned Israel’s plan to expand control over the occupied West Bank and claim large tracts of Palestinian territory as Israeli “state property”.“We strongly condemn unilateral Israeli decisions and measures aimed at expanding Israel’s unlawful presence in the West Bank,” Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour said on Tuesday, speaking on behalf of the coalition of 85 member states and several international organisations.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4How Jesse Jackson helped empower US Arabs and lift up the Palestinian causelist 2 of 4France arrests nine over far-right activist’s killinglist 3 of 4Stephen Colbert says CBS pulled interview with Texas Democratic candidatelist 4 of 4UN panel says Epstein abuses may constitute ‘crimes against humanity’end of list“Such decisions are contrary to Israel’s obligations under international law and must be immediately reversed. We underline in this regard our strong opposition to any form of annexation,” Mansour said.“We reiterate our rejection of all measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character and status of the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem,” he said.“Such measures violate international law, undermine the ongoing efforts for peace and stability in the region, run counter to the Comprehensive Plan and jeopardise the prospect of reaching a peace agreement ending the conflict,” he added.The Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict is a November agreement between Israel and Hamas to end the genocidal war.Signatories to the joint statement on Tuesday include Australia, Canada, China, France, Pakistan, Russia, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, the United Arab Emirates, the European Union, the League of Arab States and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.The joint statement follows Israel’s decision to implement land registration in Area C of the West Bank for the first time since 1967, when Israel began its occupation of Palestinian territory.