Pakistan Condemns Israeli Attempt to Extend ‘So-Called Sovereignty’ Over Occupied West Bank

The Foreign Office (FO) on Thursday condemned Tel Aviv’s attempt to “extend its so-called ‘sovereignty’” over parts of the Occupied West Bank a day after a bill applying Israeli law to the occupied West Bank won preliminary approval from the Knesset.

In a statement released today, the FO declared: “Pakistan strongly condemns Israel’s attempt to extend its so-called ‘sovereignty’ over parts of the occupied West Bank, including illegal Israeli settlements, through a draft law introduced in the legislature of the occupying power.”

The FO stated that these actions constituted a “flagrant violation” of international law, relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, and the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. The statement cautioned that “Such provocative and unlawful measures undermine ongoing efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region.”

Pakistan called on the international community to take “urgent and decisive action” to halt these illegal steps and to hold the Israeli occupying forces accountable for their continued violations of international law.

The FO reiterates its commitment to working with regional and international partners to uphold the rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination, and to ensure peace, justice, and dignity for the Palestinians.

The FO reaffirms Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, including the establishment of an independent, sovereign, viable, and contiguous state of Palestine, based on pre-1967 borders, with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital.

International Alarm and US Warning

The condemnation from Pakistan coincides with growing international concern. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday warned Israel against annexing the West Bank, saying steps taken by the Israeli parliament and settler violence “threatened the Gaza peace deal.”

As he visited Israel, Rubio stated: “I think the president’s made clear that’s not something we can be supportive of right now.” He emphasized to reporters that annexation moves are “threatening for the peace deal,” and that the US government views it as something that “might be counterproductive” at this time.