CAIRO, October 23, 2025 (WAFA) – The Arab Republic of Egypt, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Republic of Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Republic of Türkiye, the Republic of Djibouti, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman, the Republic of The Gambia, the State of Palestine, the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, the State of Libya, Malaysia, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the League of Arab States, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation issued a joint statement condemning in the strongest terms the approval by the Israeli Knesset of two draft laws seeking to impose so-called “Israeli sovereignty” over the occupied West Bank.
The statement described these measures as a blatant violation of international law and United Nations Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 2334, which condemns all Israeli actions aimed at changing the demographic composition and status of the occupied Palestinian territory since 1967, including East Jerusalem.
The statement also welcomed the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), issued on October 22, 2025, which affirmed the illegality of the Israeli occupation, settlement construction, and annexation efforts in the West Bank, reaffirming that Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories.
The countries and organizations commended the ICJ’s advisory opinion, which reaffirmed Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law to ensure the population in the occupied Palestinian territory (OPT), including Gaza, has access to essential daily supplies. The opinion emphasized Israel’s duty to agree to and facilitate relief efforts by all means, including through the United Nations and its agencies, notably the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
The Court confirmed Israel’s obligation to respect the prohibition on using starvation as a weapon and recalled Israel’s blockade of aid to Gaza. It also reaffirmed the prohibition of mass forcible transfers and deportations, including the imposition of intolerable living conditions.
Furthermore, the ICJ reaffirmed the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and independent statehood, noting that Israel’s territorial claims over East Jerusalem have been declared null and void by the Security Council, including measures attempting to cease UNRWA operations in East Jerusalem.
The joint statement warned against the continuation of Israel’s unilateral and illegal policies and called on the international community to assume its legal and moral responsibilities.
It urged the global community to compel Israel to halt its dangerous escalation and unlawful practices in the occupied Palestinian territories and to uphold the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to establish an independent and sovereign state along the lines of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The statement emphasized that this is the only path toward achieving a just, comprehensive peace that guarantees security and stability in the region.
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