Monday, 25 May 2026
Arab, Islamic nations condemn Knesset’s approval of West Bank sovereignty laws
A coalition of nations and organizations, including Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, Oman, The Gambia, Palestine, Qatar, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Nigeria, the League of Arab States, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, issued a strong condemnation of the Israeli Knesset’s approval of two draft laws asserting “Israeli sovereignty” over the occupied West Bank and illegal colonial settlements.
The group described these actions as a blatant violation of international law and United Nations Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 2334, which denounces Israeli measures altering the demographic composition, character, and status of Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem.
The condemnation also referenced the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) advisory opinion, which declared Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land illegal and invalidated settlement construction and annexation in the West Bank. The coalition reaffirmed that Israel holds no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories.
In a related development, the group welcomed the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion of October 22, 2025, on Israel’s obligations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The ICJ emphasized Israel’s duty under international humanitarian law to ensure essential supplies reach the population of the occupied territories, including Gaza, and to facilitate relief efforts through the United Nations, particularly the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
The Court condemned Israel’s blocking of aid to Gaza, highlighting the prohibition on starvation tactics and mass forcible transfers, including through intolerable living conditions. It also reaffirmed the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and statehood, noting that Israel’s territorial claims over East Jerusalem, including the “Law to Cease UNRWA Operations in the Territory of the State of Israel,” are “null and void” under international law.
The coalition warned against Israel’s ongoing unilateral and illegal policies, urging the international community to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities.
They called for action to compel Israel to halt its escalatory measures and respect the Palestinian people’s right to establish an independent, sovereign state based on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The group emphasized that such steps are essential for achieving a just and comprehensive peace, ensuring security and stability in the region.