Doha, February 22 (QNA) – Fourteen Arab and Islamic countries, along with the secretariats of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the League of Arab States (LAS), and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), have strongly condemned statements by the United States Ambassador to Israel suggesting it would be acceptable for Israel to exercise control over territories belonging to Arab states, including the occupied West Bank.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministries of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, Turkiye, Syria, Palestine, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Oman expressed deep concern and categorical rejection of what they described as dangerous and inflammatory remarks. They said such statements constitute a flagrant violation of international law and the UN Charter and pose a serious threat to regional security and stability.
The countries stressed that the remarks contradict US President Donald J. Trump’s vision and the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, which aim to contain escalation and create a political horizon for a just settlement guaranteeing an independent Palestinian state. They warned that attempts to legitimize control over others’ lands undermine peace efforts, fuel tensions, and incite conflict.
The statement reaffirmed that Israel has no sovereignty over the Occupied Palestinian Territory or any other occupied Arab lands. It rejected any attempt to annex the West Bank, separate it from Gaza, or expand settlement activity, and opposed any threat to Arab states’ sovereignty.
The countries warned that continued Israeli expansionist policies and unlawful measures would escalate violence and undermine peace prospects, calling for an end to such statements. They reiterated support for Palestinians’ inalienable right to self-determination and an independent state on June 4, 1967 lines, with full withdrawal from occupied Arab lands.