RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and several other Muslim nations have condemned the Israeli Parliament’s approval to extend its “so-called sovereignty” over parts of the occupied West Bank.
On Wednesday, Israeli lawmakers voted to move forward with two bills aimed at extending Israeli sovereignty over parts of the occupied territory. The decision sparked widespread international criticism, including from Washington, a long-standing ally of Israel.
In a joint statement, published by the Saudi Foreign Ministry on Thursday, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkiye, Djibouti, Oman, Gambia, Palestine, Qatar, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Egypt, Nigeria, Arab League, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, condemned in the strongest terms the approval of Israeli Knesset of two draft laws aiming to impose a so called “Israeli sovereignty” over the occupied West Bank.
Joint Statement by Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Djibouti, Oman, The Gambia, Palestine, Qatar, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Egypt, Nigeria, the League of Arab States, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. pic.twitter.com/fLrWoXSYnl
— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) October 23, 2025
The statement described Israeli illegal colonial settlements as a clear violation of international law and United Nations Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 2334.
This resolution condemns all Israeli actions aimed at changing the demographic makeup, character, and status of the occupied Palestinian territories since 1967, including East Jerusalem.
It also referenced the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which confirmed the illegality of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land and declared settlement construction and annexation measures in the occupied West Bank invalid. The statement reaffirmed that Israel holds no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territory.
At the same time, the statement welcomed the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion issued on October 22, 2025, regarding Israel’s obligations in and related to the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).
The Court reaffirmed Israel’s responsibilities under international humanitarian law to ensure that the population of the OPT—including Gaza—has access to essential daily supplies.
It also emphasised Israel’s duty to permit and facilitate relief efforts through all means available, especially those coordinated by the United Nations and its agencies, notably the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
The court further reaffirmed the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and independent statehood, recalling that Israel’s territorial claim over East Jerusalem has been declared “null and void” by the Security Council, which includes the “Law to Cease UNRWA Operations in the Territory of the State of Israel”, which purports to apply to East Jerusalem.
The Muslim nations have issued a warning against the ongoing unilateral and illegal actions by Israel.
They urge the international community to fulfill its legal and moral obligations by compelling Israel to halt its dangerous escalation and unlawful practices in the occupied Palestinian territories.
They emphasise the need to uphold the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to establish an independent and sovereign state based on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
This, they assert, is the only viable path to achieving a just and comprehensive peace that guarantees security and stability in the region.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also warned Israel against pursuing annexation, saying moves by its parliament and rising settler violence in the West Bank threatened the fragile Gaza peace deal.
“I think the president [Trump] has made clear that’s not something we can be supportive of right now,” he told reporters before departing for Israel.
