Jerusalem – The United Nations and several nations have condemned Israel’s recent adoption of new land measures in the West Bank, raising fears of further annexation of Palestinian territory. The measures, approved on Sunday, accelerate the process of land registration in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on Israel to “immediately reverse” the measures, stating they are “not only destabilizing but, as the International Court of Justice has recalled, illegal.” The announcement comes as international concern grows over escalating tensions in the region.
The European Union echoed these concerns, emphasizing that “annexation is illegal under international law.” Jordan’s King Abdullah II also denounced the actions as “illegal” and warned they threaten to exacerbate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs defended the move, stating it aims “to streamline land registration procedures” and “clarify rights to resolve legal disputes.” The ministry also accused the Palestinian Authority of conducting “illegal land registration procedures” in areas under Israeli control, as outlined in the Oslo Accords.
The developments follow a previous decision last week to ease land purchases by settlers. Guterres had previously stated on February 3, 2026, that “The two-State solution with Israel and a fully independent, democratic, contiguous, viable and sovereign Palestinian State living side by side in peace and security is the only viable route for a just and lasting peace. The occupation must end.”
This latest action underscores the ongoing challenges to achieving a lasting peace agreement and highlights the deep divisions surrounding the future of the West Bank. The announcement could influence future diplomatic talks and further complicate efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.
