Worry as 8 Powerful Countries Issue Ultimatum to US and Israel

The Kenya Times ~ Trending, Breaking News and Videos

Worry as 8 Powerful Countries Issue Ultimatum to US and Israel

The Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, Qatar, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, and Türkiye have condemned Israel’s decision to label parts of the occupied West Bank as state land and approve procedures for land registration and settlement. This is a concern to the United States, being Israel’s strongest ally. 

According to a statement dated Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the Foreign Ministers described the move as illegal, a grave escalation, and a step that accelerates settlement activity, confiscates land, and entrenches Israeli control over Palestinian territory.

“The Foreign Ministers of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, the State of Qatar, the Republic of Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the Republic of Türkiye strongly condemn the decision issued by Israel to designate lands in the occupied West Bank as so called “state land” and approve procedures for the registration and settlement of land ownership across extensive areas of the occupied West Bank for the first time since 1967,” read part of the statement.

The ministers added that it violates international law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention, UN Security Council resolutions, and the International Court of Justice advisory opinion, which prohibits altering the legal, historical, or demographic status of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Additionally, the ministers called for the international community to take decisive action to halt these violations, uphold international law, and protect the Palestinian people’s rights.

“The Foreign Ministers call upon the international community to assume its responsibilities and take clear and decisive steps to halt these violations, ensure respect for international law, and safeguard the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them their right to self-determination ending the occupation, and to establish their independent and sovereign State on the lines of 4 June 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital,”

Islamic Nations Condemn Israel Over West Bank Land Designation

The Foreign Ministers highlighted that the decision breaches the Fourth Geneva Convention, which protects civilians in occupied territories and prohibits the occupation of land for purposes other than military necessity.

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They also stated that the move contradicts key United Nations Security Council resolutions, which condemn Israeli settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territories and call for an end to actions that alter the territory’s status.

The ministers highlighted that Israel’s actions breach the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion, which states that measures intended to change the legal, historical, or demographic status of the Occupied Palestinian Territory are illegal.

“The desicion also contradicts the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice concerning the legal consequences arising from Israeli policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which underscored the illegality of measures intended to alter the legal, historical, and demographic status of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the obligation to end the occupation, and the prohibition of the acquisition of territory by force,” read part of the statement.

The ICJ reinforced the obligation to end the occupation and prohibited the acquisition of territory by force, principles that the ministers argue Israel is violating with this new designation.

Israeli Move to Designate large Part of the West Bank as State Land

The Israeli government has advanced the registration of territory in the occupied West Bank as state land.

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According to the Foreign Ministry, the move was described as an administrative measure to bring order to land registration, but government ministers made clear the intent was to increase settlement and entrench a grip on the land.

“This is a significant security and administrative step aimed at ensuring full control, enforcement, and freedom of action for the State of Israel in the area.”

This will allow private citizens to buy land and shift parts of the administration in the territory from the military to civilian authorities.

In the new move, it will apply to what is known as Area C of the West Bank, about 60% of the territory and home to an estimated 180,000 to 300,000 Palestinians and to a settler population of at least 325,500.

Israel previously captured the West Bank and began establishing Jewish settlements there, which are considered illegal under international law.

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This post Worry as 8 Powerful Countries Issue Ultimatum to US and Israel first appeared on The Kenya Times ~ Trending, Breaking News and Videos and is written by Valentine Taifa