Palestine calls for international assistance to halt Israel’s annexation of the West Bank.
In a formidable diplomatic push, Palestine’s representative to the United Nations urged the global community to act against escalating Israeli measures aimed at consolidating control over the West Bank. This appeal, backed by key representatives from Arab and Muslim-majority nations, underscores a united front in addressing what many view as violations of international law and the rights of the Palestinian people. The call reflects a growing recognition of the complexities surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting diplomatic efforts that seek not just regional stability but justice for Palestinians.
Palestine’s envoy to the United Nations has called on the international community to intervene and halt Israel’s recent efforts to solidify its control over the occupied West Bank, characterizing these actions as tantamount to “the annexation of the land of the Palestinian people.” Ambassador Riyad Mansour made these remarks on Tuesday at the UN headquarters in New York, flanked by representatives from various Arab and Muslim-majority nations, signaling a collective diplomatic mobilization against what they deem illegal Israeli practices.
Mansour expressed hope that “powerful partners” would halt Israel’s violations of international law and respect for global consensus surrounding the issue. His remarks coincided with the Israeli security cabinet’s recent approval of measures facilitating the acquisition of Palestinian land and property in the occupied West Bank, actions that would expand Israel’s military authority in the area.
Since capturing the West Bank and East Jerusalem in 1967, Israel’s ongoing settlement-building has been widely viewed as illegal under international law, which prohibits an occupying power from transferring its own civilian population into the territory it occupies. Numerous UN resolutions have reaffirmed the illegality of the Israeli occupation. Notably, in 2024, the International Court of Justice reiterated that Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem are “in violation of international law,” further endorsing the Palestinian cause.
Israeli officials have openly suggested that these measures serve as a pathway to annex the West Bank, intentionally obstructing the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state. Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, indicated that the latest actions demonstrate “de facto sovereignty” over the region.
Despite widespread condemnation of these measures from various nations worldwide, there has yet to be any significant international repercussions or sanctions against Israel for its policies towards Palestinians. Nonetheless, Ambassador Mansour emphasized the increasing international momentum behind the Palestinian advocacy against the occupation, declaring that Palestine is “not alone.” He noted the robust support from both Arab and Islamic nations, as well as other allies committed to backing their cause.
On the same day, Turkiye’s UN ambassador, Ahmet Yildiz, conveyed a statement from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemning Israeli actions. The OIC expressed its strong disapproval of measures aimed at imposing unlawful Israeli sovereignty and intensifying settlement activities in the West Bank, warning that such policies only exacerbate existing violence and conflict within the region.
As these developments unfold, they come in conjunction with Netanyahu’s scheduled visit to the United States, raising the stakes for diplomatic engagements in the ongoing conflict. With the complexities of global politics at play, the voices calling for justice and peace are becoming increasingly unified, echoing a message of resilience from the Palestinian people.
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