Nearly Twenty Nations Condemn Israel’s West Bank Actions as De Facto Annexation

Updated 2026-02-24 01:52:17+01:00 (9 articles)

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The Palestinian Authority has delivered little improvement to the lives of Palestinians (EPA) Source Full size
Image: Le Monde

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Marzoq Abu Naim says the PA does not give him the support which he needs Source Full size
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Al-Mughayyir has had land taken over by Jewish settlers Source Full size
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Ramallah is the PA's administrative capital but the authority has been seen as weak for years Source Full size
Image: Le Monde

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Le quartier d’Al-Bustan, à Jérusalem-Est, en Cisjordanie, le 2 février 2026.LAURENCE GEAI/MYOP POUR « LE MONDE » (LAURENCE GEAI/MYOP POUR « LE MONDE ») Source Full size

Broad International Rejection of Recent Israeli Measures On 23 Feb 2026, foreign ministers from Brazil, Saudi Arabia, France, Spain, several Scandinavian states, Ireland, Portugal, Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia and others issued a joint communiqué denouncing Israel’s new land‑registration and settlement policies as “de facto annexation” and a direct attack on a two‑state solution [1]. The statement echoed an earlier 17 Feb declaration signed by 85 UN member states condemning settlement expansion [1]. India added its signature on 18 Feb, joining the coalition and reinforcing the diplomatic pressure ahead of a UN meeting [3].

Israeli Legislative Push Expands Control Over Areas A and B The Netanyahu government passed Knesset measures that lift restrictions on land acquisition by non‑Palestinians and tighten documentation checks for existing residents, steps described by the joint communiqué as precursors to annexation [3]. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich publicly vowed to “kill” the idea of a Palestinian state and threatened to cancel the Oslo accords if his party remains in power [2]. Settlement activity has surged since the Oct 7 2023 Gaza war, pushing the settler population above 500,000 in territories the UN deems illegal [1].

Palestinian Authority Faces Financial Collapse and Service Disruptions After the Oct 7 attacks, Israel withheld tax transfers and revoked about 100,000 work permits, leaving the PA with a $4 billion shortfall and paying only 60 % of civil‑service salaries [2]. Schools in the north‑east Ramallah village of al‑Mughayyir operate irregularly, often closing when settlers or soldiers are present, forcing families to hire private tutors for basic literacy [2]. Analysts warn that the PA’s weakening could create a power vacuum that fuels radicalization [2].

India’s Endorsement Highlights Shifting Diplomatic Calculus India’s signing of the 85‑nation statement on 18 Feb was framed as aligning with the Arab League, EU, BRICS founders and Quad partners, despite criticism from former diplomats who called the move “regrettable” and a tilt toward Israel [3]. The endorsement coincided with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s meetings with Arab and Palestinian officials and speculation about Prime Minister Modi’s first visit to Israel since 2017 [3]. The United States, while opposing annexation, remained the only major power not to join the condemnation [2].

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Timeline

1967 – The West Bank remains under Israeli military occupation, home to over 3.3 million Palestinians, a fact repeatedly cited to frame settlement debates [3].

2017 – United Nations data record that settlement expansion reaches its highest level since 2017, establishing a benchmark for later spikes in construction [7].

Oct 7 2023 – The Gaza war erupts, after which the Netanyahu government accelerates colonisation, markedly increasing settlement activity in the occupied territories [9].

2024 – The International Court of Justice issues an advisory opinion declaring West Bank settlements illegal and ordering an immediate halt to construction, evacuation of settlers, and reparations [4].

May 2025 – Israel approves 22 new West Bank settlements, the largest expansion in decades, signalling a new phase of systematic outpost legalisation [2].

Dec 11 2025 – Israel’s cabinet authorises 19 outposts, including the re‑establishment of Ganim and Kadim, prompting a joint condemnation from twelve European states, Canada and Japan as a breach of international law [3].

Dec 21 2025 – The security cabinet approves another 19 settlements, bringing the tally of new approvals to 69 over three years; Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich says the move “blocks the establishment of a Palestinian state” [8].

Dec 21 2025 – The full cabinet legalises the latest settlements, raising the total number of West Bank settlements to 210 and noting retroactive legalisation of former outposts [5].

Dec 22 2025 – Smotrich announces that authorities have green‑lit 11 new settlements and formalised eight additional ones, framing the expansion as a security measure [7].

Dec 25 2025 – Foreign Minister Gideon Saar declares international condemnation “morally wrong and discriminatory against Jews,” rejecting calls to halt settlement approvals [7].

Dec 25 2025 – The United Nations reports settlement expansion is at its highest level since at least 2017, underscoring growing international alarm [7].

Feb 17 2026 – Eighty‑five UN member states issue a joint statement denouncing Israel’s unilateral settlement moves as illegal and destabilising [9].

Feb 18 2026 – India joins the 85‑nation declaration; Palestinian UN ambassador Riyad Mansour says the note “strongly condemns unilateral Israeli decisions… aimed at expanding Israel’s unlawful presence” [6].

Feb 21 2026 – The Palestinian Authority runs out of funds after Israel withholds tax transfers and 100,000 Palestinians lose work permits; Smotrich vows to “kill” the idea of a Palestinian state and pledges to cancel the Oslo accords [1].

Feb 23 2026 – Nearly 20 countries release a communiqué labeling Israel’s recent land‑control measures a “deliberate and direct attack” on the viability of a two‑state solution [9].

Feb 2026 (future) – A UN meeting and a U.S.–led Board of Peace session are slated to discuss the West Bank situation, providing a diplomatic arena for the condemnation statements [6].

2026 (future) – Prime Minister Narendra Modi plans his first official visit to Israel since July 2017, a trip linked to India’s recent diplomatic stance on the settlements [6].