Nearly 20 countries slam Israel’s ‘de facto annexation’ drive in West Bank

Al JazeeraCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete by Al Jazeera StaffFebruary 24, 2026 at 09:10 AM

AI Summary

medium article 2 min

In February 2026, nineteen countries, including Turkiye, Qatar, France, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, issued a joint statement condemning Israel's plans to begin land registration in Area C of the occupied West Bank. The signatories, which also included the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, described the move as "de facto annexation," as it would sanction the seizure of Palestinian land from those unable to prove ownership. They stated that Israel's actions, including reclassifying Palestinian land as Israeli "state land" and accelerating settlement activity, undermine the viability of a future Palestinian state and the two-state solution. The statement warned that these plans could permanently alter the legal and administrative status of the territory. The signatories called on Israel to end settler violence and pledged to take steps to counter illegal settlements and displacement.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Peace Now 40% Brazil 40% Egypt 40% Qatar 50% Saudi Arabia 50% France 50% Turkiye 60% Organisation of Islamic Cooperation 60% Arab League 60% West Bank ×480% Palestinian ×1085% Israel ×990%

Keywords

de facto annexation 100% west bank 90% palestinian state 80% israeli settlements 70% land seizure 70% two-state solution 60% area c 50% international law 50% settler violence 40%