MOSCOW(The COW News Digital) Russia has expressed hope that Israel’s Knesset will not give final approval to the recently proposed bills aimed at extending Israeli sovereignty over parts of the Jordan Valley and the occupied West Bank, warning that such a move would trigger a new wave of instability across the Middle East.
According to local media reports, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova made the remarks during a press briefing, reminding reporters that on October 22, Israel’s Knesset gave preliminary approval to two controversial bills expanding Israel’s authority in occupied territories.
Zakharova said, “We hope these bills will not reach their final stage of approval, because if they do, it will become impossible to avoid a new cycle of dangerous escalation in the occupied Palestinian territories and in the Middle East as a whole.”
She warned that any further escalation would undermine fragile international peace efforts, which have already faced significant challenges in reducing tensions between Israel and Palestine. Zakharova emphasized that the Palestinian question can only be resolved through political and diplomatic means, not unilateral measures or annexations.
“The key priority today must be to ensure lasting peace in the region,” she said. “That requires creating conditions for direct negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis on all final-status issues, with the ultimate goal of establishing an independent, geographically contiguous Palestinian state living side by side with Israel in peace and harmony.”
Russia’s statement comes amid growing international concern over Israel’s legislative agenda and the ongoing expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank — actions widely regarded as violations of international law. The proposed sovereignty bills have drawn criticism from several countries and organizations, which fear that such steps could permanently undermine the two-state solution.
Moscow has repeatedly positioned itself as a supporter of a comprehensive Middle East peace process under international law, including the UN Security Council resolutions that affirm the illegality of Israeli settlements in occupied territories.
Zakharova reiterated that unilateral decisions aimed at altering the status of occupied lands are “deeply counterproductive” and risk provoking widespread unrest. “The focus should remain on dialogue, compromise, and mutual respect,” she concluded.
