Web desk: United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has urged Israel to withdraw its new decision to declare parts of the occupied West Bank as state land. He described the move as illegal and warned that it could increase instability in the region.
On Sunday the Israeli government approved a policy that allows certain areas of the occupied West Bank to be registered as state property. Israel’s Foreign Ministry stated that the purpose of the policy is to resolve land ownership disputes in a transparent legal manner. However the decision has triggered strong international criticism.
Pakistan strongly condemned the move and called it a clear violation of international law and United Nations Security Council and General Assembly resolutions. A spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Office said the global community must reject this provocative step and ensure that Israel follows international law.
The European Union also called on Israel to reverse the decision. EU spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said that annexation is illegal under international law and warned that the move would increase tensions.
Several Arab countries including Saudi Arabia Indonesia Egypt Qatar and Jordan expressed concern over the decision. They described it as a threat to peace efforts in the region. King Abdullah II of Jordan said that such actions could further escalate tensions.
The issue has once again drawn global attention to the legal and political status of the West Bank and the broader Middle East peace process.
