In an unprecedented show of global diplomatic unity, 93 nations—including the European Union and the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)—have formally condemned Israel’s recent designation of vast areas in the occupied West Bank as “state land.” The joint statement, issued via the Palestinian mission to the UN, demands an immediate reversal of what many describe as a “preliminary step toward formal annexation.”
Ambassadors from more than 80 UN nations have condemned Israeli measures to tighten its control of the occupied West Bank, where Palestinians say they are facing the de-facto annexation of their land. pic.twitter.com/Jqg5G5h2MW
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) February 18, 2026
A Global Coalition Against Unilateralism
The coalition of signatories spans the globe, from Algeria to Zimbabwe, and includes major powers such as China, Russia, Brazil, and Canada, alongside numerous European nations like France, Germany, and the UK.
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The Violation: The states underscored that the seizure violates the Fourth Geneva Convention and UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which explicitly declares all Israeli settlements in occupied territory to have no legal validity.
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The “State Land” Pretext: Last week, the Israeli cabinet approved measures to register land where Palestinians cannot prove ownership—a process made impossible by Israel’s suspension of land registration in 1967.
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Sovereignty Shift: The measures also expand Israeli civilian authority into Areas A and B, which were intended to be under Palestinian control under the Oslo Accords, effectively eroding the Palestinian Authority’s jurisdiction.
Jerusalem’s Borders: The Peace Now Warning
Israeli settlement watchdog Peace Now has raised the alarm over a specific development agreement for the Geva Binyamin (Adam) settlement.
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Functional Annexation: Though technically a settlement expansion, the new 3,000-unit neighborhood is physically located on the Jerusalem side of the separation barrier.
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NGO Statement: “The new neighborhood will be integral to the city of Jerusalem,” said Lior Amihai, Peace Now’s executive director. “It will be in complete West Bank territory, but just adjacent to Jerusalem,” marking the first time since 1967 that Jerusalem’s functional borders are being expanded into the West Bank.
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Al-Aqsa Imam Barred Ahead of Ramadan
Tensions in the holy city reached a fever pitch as Israeli authorities barred Sheikh Muhammad Al-Abbasi, a senior imam of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, from entering the compound.
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The Ban: The one-week ban, which is renewable, was issued on Tuesday without a provided reason, just 24 hours before the expected start of the holy month of Ramadan (Feb 18/19).
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Restricted Access: While police recommended 10,000 permits for West Bank Palestinians, the Palestinian Jerusalem Governorate reported that strict age restrictions (men over 55, women over 50) remain in place, mirroring the heavily restricted access of 2025.
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