NEW YORK February 18, 2026 – In a powerful display of international consensus, more than 100 countries and key global organizations have endorsed a joint statement sharply condemning Israel’s latest decisions to expand its control over the occupied West Bank, warning that the moves violate international law and threaten prospects for peace.
The updated statement, released via the Permanent Observer Mission of the State of Palestine to the United Nations (@Palestine_UN), highlights growing global opposition to what many view as de facto annexation policies. It builds on an initial declaration issued on 17 February 2026 on behalf of 85 states and organizations, with additional endorsements pushing the total beyond 100 within 24 hours.
The full list of endorsing countries includes Afghanistan, Algeria, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Canada, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guyana, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Sierra Leone, Tajikistan, Tanzania, The Gambia, Türkiye, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, and Zimbabwe — alongside the League of Arab States, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and European Union.
Statement’s Key Points
The joint declaration states:
“We strongly condemn unilateral Israeli decisions and measures aimed at expanding Israel’s unlawful presence in the West Bank. Such decisions are contrary to Israel’s obligations under international law and must be immediately reversed. We underline in this regard our strong opposition to any form of annexation.”
It further rejects measures altering the demographic composition and status of the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, calling them violations of international law that undermine peace efforts and the Comprehensive Plan. The signatories reaffirm commitment to the New York Declaration, relevant UN resolutions, and the 19 July 2024 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice, pledging concrete steps to realize Palestinian self-determination and counter illegal settlement policies, forced displacement, and annexation threats.
The statement concludes that a just and lasting peace, based on UN resolutions, the Madrid terms of reference, the principle of land for peace, and the Arab Peace Initiative — leading to two democratic states, Palestine and Israel, living side by side within 1967 borders — remains the only path to regional security and stability.
Background on Israeli Decisions
The condemnation follows recent Israeli cabinet actions:
– On 8 February 2026, the security cabinet approved measures easing land registration, property acquisition by Israelis, and transferring planning and enforcement authorities in Palestinian-administered areas (Areas A and B).
– On 15 February 2026, Israel moved to resume land registration in Area C (comprising ~60% of the West Bank), a process frozen since 1967 that critics say will facilitate large-scale transfer of unregistered Palestinian land to Israeli state ownership.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, multiple UN experts, and civil society groups have described these steps as destabilizing, unlawful, and eroding the viability of a two-state solution.
The broad international backing — spanning diverse regions and including permanent UN Security Council members — underscores mounting pressure on Israel to reverse course. Palestine’s UN mission hailed the endorsements as a “clear message” that the international community stands united against unilateral changes on the ground.
This development comes amid ongoing tensions in the occupied Palestinian territory, with the statement serving as the latest in a series of global calls for compliance with international law and renewed commitment to a negotiated peace.
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