Pakistan Condemns Israel’s West Bank Annexation Plan, Calls for Urgent Global Intervention
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Pakistan has strongly condemned Israel’s push to annex the occupied West Bank, terming it a violation of international law and UN resolutions. The Foreign Office urged the global community to take immediate action to stop the “provocative and unlawful” move threatening peace in the Middle East.
Introduction
Pakistan has vehemently denounced Israel’s renewed attempts to annex the occupied West Bank, calling the move a clear violation of international law and UN Security Council resolutions. The statement came after the Israeli Knesset advanced two bills aimed at extending Israeli sovereignty over parts of Palestinian territory.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in Islamabad warned that these “provocative and unlawful measures” could jeopardize peace efforts in the Middle East and further destabilize the region.
The Controversial Vote in Israel’s Knesset
What Happened
On Wednesday, Israeli lawmakers voted in favor of advancing two separate bills that would formalize the annexation of the occupied West Bank—home to millions of Palestinians.
The first bill, approved by 32 votes to 9, seeks to annex Maale Adumim, a large Israeli settlement located just east of Jerusalem and home to roughly 40,000 settlers.
The second bill, even more sweeping in scope, proposes annexing the entire West Bank, a move seen as a de facto rejection of the two-state solution that has long underpinned international peace negotiations.
While both bills passed only a preliminary reading, their advancement signals growing support among Israel’s far-right lawmakers for full annexation—a long-standing ambition that has gained momentum under nationalist leadership.
Far-Right Ambitions and Political Context
The drive to annex the West Bank has been championed by Israel’s ultra-nationalist ministers, who view the territory as part of “Judea and Samaria,” a Biblical claim deeply rooted in Zionist ideology.
One lawmaker declared during the debate:
“The time has come to impose full sovereignty over all of Judea and Samaria — the inheritance of our ancestors — and to promote peace with our neighbors through strength.”
The statement reflects a growing belief among Israel’s right-wing politicians that military dominance, rather than negotiation, will secure long-term peace.
This development comes just a week after President Donald Trump had facilitated what he described as a peace framework between Israel and Palestinian factions in Gaza, aimed at ending years of conflict. Israel’s new annexation bid now risks undermining that fragile diplomatic progress.
Palestinian Leadership Strongly Condemns Move
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry, based in Ramallah, swiftly denounced the Knesset’s decision. In an official statement published by Wafa, the Palestinian news agency, the ministry said it “strongly rejects the Knesset’s attempts to annex Palestinian land” and reaffirmed that the occupied territories are an integral part of the State of Palestine.
“The occupied Palestinian territories in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, constitute a single geographic unit over which Israel has no sovereignty,” the ministry asserted.
Palestinian officials warned that Israel’s actions could completely dismantle the two-state framework and extinguish hopes for a peaceful settlement.
Pakistan’s Response: A Call for International Action
Official Statement from Islamabad
In a detailed statement, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Israel’s annexation push in the strongest possible terms. The ministry described the move as an “egregious violation of international law” and a direct challenge to numerous UN Security Council resolutions, including Resolutions 242 and 338, which call for Israel’s withdrawal from occupied territories.
The statement further emphasized that such actions “undermine regional peace efforts” and violate the rights of the Palestinian people.
“Pakistan stands in complete solidarity with the Palestinian people and their just cause. We urge the international community to act swiftly to halt Israel’s unlawful and provocative measures,” the ministry declared.
Support for Palestine Reaffirmed
Pakistan reaffirmed its unwavering support for the establishment of an independent and viable State of Palestine, based on pre-1967 borders and with Al-Quds Al-Sharif (Jerusalem) as its capital.
This stance aligns with Pakistan’s historical position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, emphasizing the need for justice, sovereignty, and a negotiated two-state solution.
Jordan and Regional Allies Echo Concerns
Pakistan’s condemnation was echoed by Jordan, a key regional stakeholder and custodian of Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem.
The Jordanian Foreign Ministry described the Israeli bills as “a blatant violation of international law and a grave undermining of the two-state solution.”
Amman’s statement underscored the regional fear that Israel’s unilateral actions could ignite a new wave of instability across the Middle East and derail any progress toward peace.
Other Arab states, including Qatar and Egypt, have also expressed deep concern, warning that annexation could trigger diplomatic fallout and increase violence in occupied territories.
The International Legal Dimension
Breach of International Law
Under international law, all Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are deemed illegal. The Fourth Geneva Convention explicitly prohibits an occupying power from transferring its population into the territories it occupies.
By attempting to annex the West Bank, Israel is effectively asserting permanent sovereignty over land recognized by the United Nations as occupied Palestinian territory.
This move contradicts decades of UN Security Council resolutions and threatens the rules-based international order that governs state behavior.
United Nations’ Position
The United Nations has consistently reaffirmed that the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza remain occupied territories, and that any attempt to alter their status unilaterally holds no legal validity.
A UN spokesperson recently reiterated that “annexation of occupied territory by force is inadmissible under international law.”
US Response: A Warning Against Escalation
In a notable shift from previous American positions, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio cautioned Israel against moving forward with annexation plans. Speaking to reporters before departing for Israel, Rubio said:
“I think the President’s made clear that this is not something we can be supportive of right now. Annexation could threaten the peace deal and derail regional stability.”
He added that while Israel has democratic institutions capable of making its own decisions, unilateral annexation at this stage could be “counterproductive.”
The US statement reflects growing international unease about the implications of Israel’s actions, especially after years of Washington’s perceived alignment with Israeli interests.
Global Reaction and Diplomatic Fallout
The annexation debate has sparked widespread criticism from governments, human rights organizations, and global observers.
European Union’s Stance
The European Union reiterated its opposition to any unilateral annexation, warning that such moves “would not be recognized” and could result in sanctions or reassessment of bilateral relations with Israel.
Several EU member states, including France, Germany, and Spain, have called for collective diplomatic pressure to prevent escalation.
United Nations and OIC Concern
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also condemned Israel’s actions, calling them “a flagrant assault on Palestinian sovereignty” and urging member states to intensify diplomatic efforts to protect Palestinian rights.
The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process warned that annexation could “ignite a new cycle of violence” and permanently damage any remaining prospects for a two-state resolution.
The Historical Context of West Bank Annexation
To fully understand the gravity of Israel’s latest move, it’s important to revisit the historical background of the West Bank conflict.
Post-1967 Occupation
Israel captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip during the 1967 Six-Day War. Since then, the territories have remained under military occupation, despite repeated UN resolutions calling for withdrawal.
Over the decades, Israel has built hundreds of settlements across the West Bank, housing more than 700,000 Israeli settlers. These settlements, considered illegal under international law, have gradually fragmented Palestinian land and made the creation of a contiguous Palestinian state increasingly difficult.
Previous Annexation Attempts
While Israel formally annexed East Jerusalem in 1980, no other part of the West Bank has been legally annexed. However, successive Israeli governments have expanded settlements and extended administrative control, effectively creating a “creeping annexation.”
The current bills in the Knesset represent the most explicit legislative attempt in recent years to formalize this process.
Pakistan’s Diplomatic Role in Global Advocacy
Pakistan has long been a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights at international forums, including the United Nations, OIC, and Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
Islamabad consistently calls for collective Muslim unity and diplomatic engagement to counter Israel’s occupation policies.
Pakistan’s latest condemnation reinforces its commitment to defending the Palestinian cause, a principle deeply rooted in its foreign policy since independence.
Past Diplomatic Efforts
In previous years, Pakistan has co-sponsored resolutions at the UN General Assembly condemning Israeli settlement expansion and supporting humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees.
This renewed call for global action is likely to reinvigorate Pakistan’s diplomatic campaign in coordination with Muslim-majority nations.
Humanitarian Concerns and Global Implications
The annexation debate is not merely a political issue—it has severe humanitarian consequences.
Threat to Palestinian Livelihoods
If annexation proceeds, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians risk losing access to agricultural land, water resources, and mobility rights. Many fear that Israel could enforce stricter military checkpoints, limit travel, and expand control over Area C, which already covers 60% of the West Bank.
Regional Instability
Experts warn that annexation could ignite a new intifada (uprising) and destabilize neighboring countries like Jordan and Lebanon, which already host millions of Palestinian refugees.
The ripple effects could further strain Middle Eastern diplomacy, affect energy cooperation, and heighten sectarian polarization across the region.
The Path Forward: Global Responsibility and Peace Prospects
Pakistan’s statement reflects a growing international realization that piecemeal condemnations are not enough. Concrete diplomatic, economic, and legal actions are needed to prevent further erosion of international law.
Calls for Collective Action
Islamabad urged the UN Security Council, the OIC, and global powers to pressure Israel into immediate cessation of annexation activities and re-engagement in peace talks based on the two-state solution.
Hope for Dialogue
Despite the grim outlook, several diplomats believe that renewed global mediation—perhaps under UN or multilateral frameworks—could still salvage peace efforts if both sides agree to resume meaningful negotiations.
Conclusion
Israel’s attempt to annex the occupied West Bank has once again exposed the fragility of Middle East peace and the ineffectiveness of international deterrence. Pakistan’s swift condemnation underscores its consistent moral and diplomatic support for the Palestinian cause and its call for a collective international response.
As the world watches, the coming weeks will determine whether diplomacy prevails or division deepens—a choice that will shape the future of one of the world’s most enduring conflicts.
