Palestine urges ‘powerful partners’ to stop Israel’s West Bank ‘annexation’

An Israeli government minister stated that recent measures increasing Israeli control in the occupied West Bank effectively establish "de facto sovereignty," preventing the creation of a future Palestinian state. This statement echoes concerns from Palestinians, Arab countries, and human rights groups who view the moves as an annexation of the territory. Energy Minister Eli Cohen's comments follow similar remarks from other high-ranking officials in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. These actions and statements contradict previous U.S. positions, including statements from former President Trump opposing annexation and the U.S.-brokered ceasefire acknowledging Palestinian statehood aspirations. Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with U.S. officials this week.

In February 2026, Al Jazeera pressed the UN Secretary-General's spokesman regarding the UN's response to Israel's actions in the occupied West Bank. The questioning occurred amidst increasing criticism of Israel's new measures that tighten its control over the territory. Al Jazeera specifically inquired about the UN's plans to deter Israel, given concerns over what some perceive as a "de facto annexation" of the West Bank. The news report highlights the international scrutiny Israel faces regarding its policies and actions in the occupied territory and the pressure on the UN to take action. The core issue revolves around Israel's increasing control and the international community's response.

In February 2026, Israel's security cabinet made changes to West Bank policy, granting itself greater control over the occupied territory. The measures, decided in a closed-door meeting, ease land acquisition for Jewish settlers and undermine the Palestinian Authority in areas it administers. Critics say these actions violate the Oslo Accords and international law, accelerating annexation efforts. The changes come after President Trump's rejection of annexation and support for Israeli-Palestinian talks. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated the goal is to deepen Israeli roots in the West Bank and bury the idea of a Palestinian state. These actions occur amidst increased Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank following the Hamas-led attack in 2023.

In February 2026, Palestine's envoy to the UN, Riyad Mansour, urged the international community to stop Israel's actions in the occupied West Bank, which he described as annexation. Speaking at the UN headquarters in New York, Mansour, supported by representatives from Arab and Muslim-majority nations, highlighted Israel's recent measures to expand its control, including easing land seizure and property acquisition for Israelis. These measures, approved by the Israeli security cabinet, aim to deepen military control in the West Bank, captured by Israel in 1967. Mansour stated that these actions violate international law and UN resolutions that deem the Israeli occupation illegal, and he called on "powerful partners" to intervene. Israeli officials have suggested these moves aim to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Israel's recent measures to extend control in the West Bank, aimed at bolstering Israeli settlements and preventing Palestinian statehood, have triggered widespread international condemnation. The new rules facilitate land ownership identification and property acquisition for non-Arabs in the territory. The EU has warned of potential sanctions, while a coalition of Arab and Islamic states, including Saudi Arabia and Jordan, denounced the measures as destabilizing and illegal. The UK also strongly condemned the actions, urging Israel to reverse them. Amidst the backlash, the White House reaffirmed its opposition to Israeli annexation of the West Bank, emphasizing the importance of stability for regional peace and Israeli security ahead of a planned meeting between Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump.

Eight Muslim-majority countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye, jointly condemned Israel on Monday, February 9, 2026, for measures expanding its control in the occupied West Bank. The countries denounced the move as an attempt to impose "unlawful Israeli sovereignty." Israel's security cabinet approved new rules allowing Jewish Israelis to purchase private real estate, opening land registries, and increasing Israeli supervision in Palestinian Authority-run areas. Israeli officials stated the measures aim to deepen Israeli presence and undermine the possibility of a Palestinian state. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas characterized the decision as de facto annexation and called for international intervention from the US and the UN Security Council.

In February 2026, a White House official stated that US President Donald Trump opposes Israel's annexation of the occupied West Bank, citing stability in the region as crucial for achieving peace. This announcement follows international condemnation of new measures by Israeli ministers to extend control over occupied Palestinian territory and facilitate settlement expansion, which are illegal under international law. Eight Muslim-majority countries denounced Israel's actions as attempts to impose unlawful sovereignty and accelerate annexation. The United Nations Secretary-General, along with the United Kingdom and Spain, also criticized Israel's measures, with the UN chief stating they undermine the possibility of a two-state solution. The US stance emphasizes the importance of a stable West Bank for Israeli security and regional peace.