Jerusalem(The COW News Digital) Nearly 100 countries have condemned Israel’s latest move to designate large tracts of land in the occupied West Bank as so-called “state land,” triggering widespread diplomatic backlash and renewed concerns over regional stability.
The criticism has been led by the Arab League, the European Union, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, all of which have urged Israel to immediately reverse the decision. In separate statements, these blocs described the step as a violation of international law and warned that it could undermine efforts toward a two-state solution.
According to a statement issued by the Palestinian mission, the move is aimed at further consolidating Israeli control over occupied Palestinian territories and weakening prospects for a negotiated settlement. The mission characterized the decision as part of a broader strategy to expand settlements and alter the demographic and geographic realities on the ground.
An eight-member Muslim bloc of foreign ministers also denounced Israel’s approval of new land registration and settlement procedures in the West Bank. The ministers called for coordinated international pressure to halt what they termed unilateral measures.
Last week, the Israeli cabinet approved steps to expand Israeli civil authority in Areas A and B of the West Bank, which together account for approximately 40 percent of the territory. The decision has drawn particular scrutiny because these areas were previously administered with varying degrees of Palestinian civil control under past agreements.
Israeli NGO Peace Now warned that the new planning framework could effectively extend Jerusalem’s municipal boundaries deeper into the West Bank for the first time since 1967. The group stated that the proposed expansion would stretch westward from the Geva Binyamin (Adam) settlement, linking it administratively to Jerusalem despite the lack of direct geographic continuity.
Separately, tensions have also risen in East Jerusalem. Sheikh Mohammad al-Abbasi, a senior imam at Al-Aqsa Mosque, said Israeli authorities barred him from entering the mosque compound for one week, with the possibility of further extension. The restriction comes just days before the start of Ramadan.
Israeli police, meanwhile, said they are recommending the issuance of 10,000 entry permits for West Bank Palestinians to access Jerusalem.
Analysts caution that the latest developments could heighten tensions in the region and further complicate already fragile peace efforts.
