Muslim, European countries condemn Israel’s ‘de facto annexation’ of Judea, Samaria

18 countries and the Palestinian Authority pen joint statement condemning Israel’s recent administrative chances to Judea and Samaria, accusing Jerusalem of “de facto annexation.”

By David Rosenberg, World Israel News

Nearly 20 countries from across Europe and the Muslim world joined together to issue a statement Tuesday morning condemning Israel’s recent administrative changes in Judea and Samaria, accusing the Jewish state of pursuing “de facto annexation” of the area.

The statement was issued by the foreign ministers of 18 countries and the Palestinian Authority, including Brazil, 11 European states, and six Muslim-majority states.

In the joint declaration, the foreign ministers called on Israel to cancel plans to survey and register land ownership in Judea and Samaria, marking the first time Israel has attempted to systematically delineate land rights in the area.

The foreign ministers also condemned administrative changes easing the expansion of Israeli towns in Judea and Samaria, and expanding Israeli oversight in Areas B and C, which are under Palestinian Authority civil control.

“Changes are wide-ranging, reclassifying Palestinian land as so-called Israeli ‘state land,’ accelerating illegal settlement activity, and further entrenching Israeli administration,” the statement read.

“We are clear that Israel’s illegal settlements, and decisions designed to further them, are a flagrant violation of international law, including previous United Nations Security Council Rrsolutions and the 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice.”

The statement described Israel’s latest moves as a form of “de facto annexation” that would “change the reality on the ground.”

“These latest decisions are part of a clear trajectory that aims to change the reality on the ground and to advance unacceptable de facto annexation. They also undermine the ongoing efforts for peace and stability in the region, including the 20-point plan for Gaza, and threaten any meaningful prospect of regional integration.”

“We call on the Government of Israel to reverse them immediately, to respect its international obligations, and to refrain from actions that would result in permanent changes to the legal and administrative status of the occupied Palestinian Territory.”

The signatories included Brazil, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, France, Denmark, Luxembourg, Portugal, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey along with the Palestinian Authority, the Arab League, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.