Over 80 UN Member States Condemn Israel’s ‘Illegal Presence’ in West Bank

New York, MINA – More than 80 UN member states on Tuesday condemned Israel’s unilateral moves to expand its “illegal presence” in the occupied West Bank.

Palestinian UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour delivered a joint statement regarding Israel’s latest decisions affecting the territory on behalf of 80 countries and several organizations at UN headquarters in New York.

“We strongly condemn Israel’s unilateral decisions and actions aimed at expanding its illegal presence in the occupied West Bank,” the statement said, adding that such measures violate Israel’s obligations under international law and must be reversed immediately.

The countries reaffirmed their rejection of steps to alter the demographic composition, character or status of Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, warning such measures undermine peace efforts and regional stability.

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They also cited a July 2024 advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice that found Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories illegal and called for the evacuation of settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The signatories pledged to act in line with international law and relevant U.N. resolutions.

Israel has intensified operations in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since the genocide in Gaza in October 2023. Palestinian officials say the operations have included killings, arrests, displacement and settlement expansion.

Palestinian data show at least 1,114 people killed, more than 11,500 wounded and about 22,000 detained in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

On Sunday, Israel approved registering large areas of the West Bank as state land for the first time since 1967, a move Palestinians say could pave the way for annexation and further erode prospects for an independent state.[]

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Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)