Monday, 25 May 2026
Egypt strongly condemns Israeli settlement expansion plan in West Bank
The Government of Egypt has issued a strong condemnation of recent Israeli plans to build 3,400 new housing units in the occupied West Bank, near Jerusalem. The announcement follows approval by Israel’s Finance Minister, and has sparked widespread concern regarding escalating settlement activity in Palestinian territories.
In an official statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Egypt described the move as a clear violation of international law, relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, and established international conventions. The statement expressed deep alarm over what it called “determined efforts by the Israeli government to expand its control over Palestinian land and alter the demographic status of the occupied areas.”
Egypt also rejected recent “extremist statements” from Israeli officials advocating for the imposition of Israeli sovereignty and further settlement expansion in the West Bank, warning that such rhetoric only fuels hatred, extremism, and violence in the region. “These policies and statements,” the Ministry said, “will not achieve security or stability for any country in the region, including Israel, as long as they ignore the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people.”
Emphasizing the need for a just and comprehensive peace, Egypt reiterated its unwavering opposition to all settlement activities and policies aimed at altering the status quo or undermining the rights of Palestinians. The statement warned Israel against pursuing “unrealistic ambitions” of annexation or forming a so-called “Greater Israel,” which Egypt maintains is unacceptable and will not be allowed to happen.
Egypt called on all parties to recommit to the internationally endorsed two-state solution, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in accordance with international law and United Nations resolutions. The statement underlined that any ongoing attempts to forcibly change realities on the ground—through displacement, land confiscation, or settlement building—are bound to fail and only serve to undermine peace prospects.
Concluding its remarks, Egypt stressed that only a genuine commitment to a fair and lasting solution can bring about stability and security for all peoples in the Middle East, and identified the continuation of hardline policies as the main driver of continued instability in the region.