Muslim countries slam Israel for illegal annexation' push in West Bank

"Eight Muslim-majority countries have denounced Israel for trying to impose unlawful Israeli sovereignty in the occupied West Bank, after it approved controversial new measures expanding its control and making it easier for Israeli settlers to buy land. Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and the United Arab Emirates condemned Israel's move in the strongest terms on Monday, according to a Saudi Foreign Ministry statement."

"Israel's new measures, greenlighted Sunday by its security cabinet, have major implications on property rights and Israeli security procedures in the occupied Palestinian territory. The Times of Israel, citing a joint statement by Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defence Minister Israel Katz, said the new rules would allow Jewish Israelis to buy private real estate in the territory and open up previously confidential land registries to the public."

"The measures will also allow Israeli authorities to take charge of managing some religious sites and increase Israeli supervision and enforcement in areas run by the Palestinian Authority (PA), according to Israeli media reports. Smotrich said the move was aimed at deepening our roots in all regions of the Land of Israel and burying the idea of a Palestinian state."

Eight Muslim-majority countries denounced Israeli measures that expand control over the occupied West Bank and ease Israeli settlers' ability to buy private land. The countries named were Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and the United Arab Emirates. The measures, approved by Israel's security cabinet, affect property rights, land registries, management of some religious sites, and increase Israeli supervision in areas run by the Palestinian Authority. A joint statement by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defence Minister Israel Katz said the new rules would allow Jewish Israelis to buy private real estate and open previously confidential land registries. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called the decision de facto annexation and urged international intervention.

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