RAMALLAH, May 26, 2026 (WAFA) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates strongly condemned the Israeli authorities' decision to seize approximately 109.79 dunams of land surrounding the village of Nabi Samuel and the lands of Beit Iksa, northwest of occupied Jerusalem, under the pretext of "developing and preserving archaeological sites."
In a statement, the Ministry considered the decision as a systematic colonial policies targeting Palestinian geography and demography, aiming to Judaize occupied Jerusalem, isolate it from its natural surroundings, alter its character, and obliterate its ancient Palestinian identity.
"This is part of a colonial project based on the displacement of the Palestinian people and the theft of Palestinian land, narrative, history, and civilization," The Ministry added," this violates international law and President Trump's plan, which rejects annexation and forced displacement."
The Ministry affirmed that the decision is not an administrative measure or a development project, but rather a forceful land grab and illegal occupation in violation of the UN Charter and international law, as well as UN resolutions.
The Ministry added that the decision further aims to impose a new reality using colonial tools and policies that exploit "public interest" and "archaeological sites" as a cover to legitimize the theft of Palestinian land and the reshaping of the landscape to serve the Zionist colonial project.
It stressed that Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or any part of Palestinian territory, and that all measures and decisions taken by the occupying authorities are null and void and have no legal effect, in accordance with international consensus, international law, and the resolutions of the international community.
It called on the international community and the United Nations to adopt practical, binding, and effective steps, including sanctions to stop the policies of seizure, annexation, and Judaization, and to impose accountability mechanisms on the occupying authorities for their ongoing crimes, and to protect the historical heritage of the city of Jerusalem, its holy sites, and historical landmarks, as a global Palestinian and human heritage, which requires comprehensive international preservation and protection.
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