UN says all Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal

UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday expressed deep concern over Israel’s recent steps to enforce stricter control measures in the occupied West Bank.

The concern relates to “the reported decision by the Israeli security cabinet to authorise a series of administrative and enforcement measures in Areas A and B of the occupied West Bank,” his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, said at a news conference.

In a statement, Guterres warned that this approach undermines the chances of reaching a two-state solution.

He reiterated that all Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and their associated regime and infrastructure, have no legal validity and constitute a flagrant violation of international law, including relevant UN resolutions.

The UN chief stressed that “Such actions, including Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory are not only destabilizing but – as recalled by the International Court of Justice – unlawful.”

Guterres called on Israel to immediately reverse these steps and to preserve the only path to lasting peace, in line with UN Security Council resolutions, which is the two-state solution.

On Sunday, Israel’s security cabinet approved a package of decisions aimed at increasing Israeli control over territory in the occupied West Bank, including major changes to land management, planning and construction licensing.

The Israeli government said the measures aim to remove what it describes as obstacles to settlement development and would make it easier for Jewish settlers to take over Palestinian land. “We will continue to kill the idea of a Palestinian state,” far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said, as quoted by the BBC.