Pakistan and a group of Arab and Muslim-majority countries have strongly condemned recent remarks by the United States Ambassador to Israel suggesting that Israel could exercise control over territories belonging to Arab states, including the occupied West Bank.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria and Palestine expressed deep concern, alongside the secretariats of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the League of Arab States, and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
The statement described the envoy’s comments as “dangerous and inflammatory,” warning that they violate international law and the UN Charter while threatening regional peace and stability. The countries said such remarks undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions and achieving a comprehensive political solution to the Gaza conflict, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
The ministers reaffirmed that Israel has no sovereignty over the Occupied Palestinian Territory or any other occupied Arab land. They firmly rejected any attempt to annex the West Bank, separate it from Gaza, or expand settlement activities.
The joint declaration emphasized support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and called for the creation of an independent state based on pre-June 4, 1967 borders, along with a complete end to occupation.
