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The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) convened an emergency meeting at the level of foreign ministers on Thursday to discuss Israel’s recent approval of a plan to designate large areas of the occupied West Bank as “state property,” a move critics describe as de facto annexation, along with ongoing violations in Palestinian territories.
In a statement, the OIC said the Executive Committee meeting was held at its headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as part of high-level diplomatic engagements in response to Israel’s annexation initiatives.
The meeting brought together numerous foreign ministers from member states, as well as ambassadors and diplomatic delegations.
Participants discussed efforts to establish a unified position and coordinate measures in response to Israeli violations.
The statement said the gathering aimed to mobilize the international community to protect the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and highlighted concerns that Israeli practices threaten regional security.
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed al-Khereiji reaffirmed his country’s rejection of Israel’s actions in the Palestinian territories, stating that such steps undermine peace and stability in the region.
“Israel’s attacks against Palestinian territories continue. Steps aimed at establishing so-called sovereignty over the West Bank are also sabotaging opportunities for peace. Saudi Arabia condemns and rejects all illegal settlement initiatives in the West Bank,” Khereiji said.
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Israel’s security cabinet on Feb. 8 adopted decisions that would change the status quo in the West Bank in favor of Jewish settlers and to the detriment of Palestinians.
The measures include removing obstacles preventing Jewish settlers from directly purchasing land, granting Israel authority to seize areas under the responsibility of the Palestinian administration under various pretexts, and stripping local governance powers in the Palestinian city of Hebron to establish an Israel-affiliated “parallel municipality.”
On Feb. 15, the Israeli government approved the launch of a unilateral land registration process in the occupied West Bank, a move viewed as formalizing the confiscation of Palestinian lands under international law.
Under international law, the West Bank, occupied by Israel since 1967, is recognized as territory designated for a future Palestinian state, and Israel is considered an occupying power there.
The transfer of an occupying power’s population into occupied territory and changes to property ownership structures are regarded as violations of international law.
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