At the UN, 80 Countries Condemn Israel's Expansion of West Bank Settlements

New York (ANTARA) — Eighty countries and international organisations have condemned Israel’s unilateral decisions and measures to continue expanding illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.

In a statement delivered at a press conference at United Nations Headquarters in New York on Tuesday (17 February), the Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the UN, Riyad Mansour, said the group considered the decision to be in contravention of Israel’s obligations under international law and called for it to be immediately revoked.

They also expressed strong opposition to all forms of annexation.

The statement affirmed rejection of any measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character, and legal status of Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including East Jerusalem.

It further stated that Israel’s actions violate international law, undermine peace efforts and regional stability, and threaten the prospects of a final peace agreement.

The countries reaffirmed their commitment, as set out in the New York Declaration, to take concrete steps in accordance with international law, UN resolutions, and the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice on 19 July 2024.

These measures are intended to support the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and to respond to settlement policies, threats of forced displacement, and annexation in the occupied territories, including East Jerusalem.

They emphasised that a just and lasting peace through the Two-State Solution, based on UN resolutions and the Land for Peace Principle, remains the only path guaranteeing regional security and stability.

Source: WAFA