On Tuesday, 85 UN member states, including France, China, Saudi Arabia and Russia, strongly condemned in a joint declaration the adoption by Israel of new measures aimed at “expanding (its) illegal presence” in the occupied West Bank. These countries also reaffirmed their “firm opposition to any form of annexation”.

Published on: 02/18/2026 - 03:15 Modified on: 02/18/2026 - 07:38

Eighty-five United Nations member states strongly condemned Tuesday, February 17, in a joint declaration, the adoption by Israel of new measures aimed at “expanding (its) illegal presence” in the occupied West Bank, fearing an annexation of the Palestinian territory which could lead to the modification of its “demographic composition”.

A week after approving a text facilitating land purchases by settlers, the Israeli government decided on Sunday to accelerate the land registration process in the West Bank, occupied by Israel since 1967.

Also read: In images: the intensification of colonization in the occupied West Bank

“We strongly condemn Israeli unilateral decisions and measures aimed at expanding Israel's illegal presence in the West Bank. These decisions are contrary to Israel's obligations under international law and must be immediately annulled,” these 85 member states, including France, China, Saudi Arabia and Russia, as well as several organizations such as the European Union and the Arab League, declared at the United Nations in New York.

“Illegal” measures, according to Antonio Guterres

These countries also reaffirmed their “firm opposition to any form of annexation”. “We reiterate our rejection of all measures aimed at changing the demographic composition, nature and status of the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem. These measures violate international law, undermine efforts for peace and stability in the region (...) and jeopardize the prospect of a peace agreement ending the conflict,” they further declared.

The UN, several Arab countries and the EU had already denounced on Monday Israel's adoption of these new land measures strengthening its control over the occupied West Bank. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called on Israel on Monday to "immediately reverse" these measures, which "are not only destabilizing but, as the International Court of Justice recalled, illegal."

See alsoIn the occupied West Bank, settlers want to make the creation of a Palestinian state impossible

Colonization has continued under all Israeli governments since 1967. It has clearly intensified under the current government of Benjamin Netanyahu, one of the most right-wing in Israeli history, particularly since the start of the war in Gaza on October 7, 2023. Aside from East Jerusalem, occupied and annexed by Israel, more than 500,000 Israelis live today in the West Bank in settlements that the UN considers illegal under international law, among some three million Palestinians.

With AFP

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