85 UN Member States Condemn Israel's Escalating Actions in the West Bank

A total of 85 United Nations member states have issued a joint statement condemning Israel’s increasingly expansive control over the West Bank.

“We strongly condemn Israel’s unilateral decisions and actions aimed at expanding Israel’s unlawful presence in the West Bank,” the statement, released on Tuesday (17 February) local time, read. “These decisions contravene Israel’s obligations under international law and must be reversed immediately,” it added.

“In this regard, we underline our firm opposition to all forms of annexation,” the joint statement declared, as reported by AFP on Wednesday (18 February 2026).

Last week, Israel’s security cabinet approved a series of measures backed by right-wing ministers to tighten control over areas of the West Bank administered by the Palestinian Authority under the Oslo Accords, which have been in effect since the 1990s.

On Sunday, the Israeli government also approved a process to register land in the West Bank as “state property”, a move that drew further international condemnation.

“We reaffirm our rejection of all measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character and status of the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem,” the 85-nation joint statement continued.

“Such measures violate international law, undermine ongoing efforts for peace and stability in the region, run counter to the Comprehensive Plan, and jeopardise the prospects of achieving a peace agreement that ends the conflict,” it added.

The statement was issued on behalf of 85 member states, including Saudi Arabia, China and Russia, as well as the international organisations of the European Union, the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Previously, UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday called on Israel to reverse its land registration policy, describing it as “destabilising” and “unlawful”.

Excluding the annexed East Jerusalem, more than 500,000 Israelis live in settlements and outposts in the West Bank, which are illegal under international law.

Approximately three million Palestinians live in the territory, which has been occupied by Israel since 1967.