Nearly 20 countries have issued a joint statement criticising Israel for what they described as a “de facto annexation” of territory in the occupied West Bank, citing continued settlement expansion and administrative measures that they say undermine prospects for a two state solution.
The countries expressed concern that recent policies, including approvals for new settlements and infrastructure projects, are changing realities on the ground and making the creation of a viable Palestinian state increasingly difficult. They warned that such steps violate international law and risk further destabilising the region.
In the statement, the signatories urged Israel to halt settlement activity and reverse actions that entrench permanent control over occupied land. They also called for renewed diplomatic efforts to preserve the possibility of a negotiated peace settlement between Israelis and Palestinians.
Israeli officials have rejected the accusations, arguing that construction and security measures are necessary for national defence and the needs of existing communities. The government maintains that the status of the West Bank should be resolved through direct negotiations rather than international pressure.
Palestinian representatives welcomed the international criticism, saying it reflects growing global alarm over what they view as creeping annexation through legal and administrative means rather than formal declarations. They urged stronger action from the international community to ensure accountability.
Observers note that the latest statement adds to mounting diplomatic pressure on Israel, as tensions in the region remain high and efforts to restart peace talks have stalled. The issue of settlements remains one of the most contentious obstacles to resolving the decades long conflict.
