Qatar has issued a formal condemnation of Israel’s recent decision to designate West Bank territories as state property, characterizing the move as an unlawful expansion of settlement policies. The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement on February 15th denouncing what it described as systematic efforts to undermine Palestinian rights through administrative measures.
This development follows Israel’s security cabinet approval on February 8th of provisions that facilitate land acquisition by settlers while augmenting Israeli regulatory authority over Palestinian-administered zones. The controversial measures extend to environmental management, water resource oversight, and administration of certain religious sites within areas nominally under Palestinian Authority control.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has characterized these actions as dangerous precedents amounting to de facto annexation, echoing concerns raised by multiple international bodies. The International Court of Justice previously issued a non-binding opinion in 2024 declaring Israel’s occupation and settlement activities illegal under international law.
Diplomatic opposition has coalesced rapidly across the Middle East, with foreign ministers from eight nations—including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan—issuing a joint statement rejecting Israel’s assertion of sovereignty over occupied territories. The coalition warned that these policies exacerbate regional tensions while undermining the legal foundation for a two-state solution based on 1967 borders.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed grave concern through spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, noting that such measures progressively erode prospects for peaceful coexistence. Notably, the United States—while stopping short of direct criticism—indicated through an administration official that President Trump opposes formal annexation of the West Bank, emphasizing preference for stability in the region.
The British government joined the international chorus of disapproval, explicitly calling for reversal of the cabinet decision and reaffirming that unilateral alterations to Palestine’s demographic composition violate established international norms.