Cairo: Foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Trkiye, and Egypt have strongly denounced Israel's ongoing illegal settlement policies in the occupied Palestinian territory.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the ministers issued a joint statement rejecting the 'E1' colonial plan and its associated settlement activities in occupied East Jerusalem. They condemned the actions of Israeli colonists, supported by the Israeli authorities, which include violations and acts of violence against Palestinians and their property.
The ministers emphasized that these practices infringe upon Palestinians' inalienable rights and violate international law and UN resolutions, posing a serious threat to both regional and international peace and security. The E1 plan is seen as a significant escalation, threatening the territorial contiguity between the West Bank and East Jerusalem and undermining the viability of a future Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The statement also addressed the measures as a challenge to international peace efforts, including the comprehensive peace plan proposed by former President Donald Trump, which opposes annexation and forced displacement. The ministers reiterated that a two-state solution, grounded in international law and UN resolutions, remains the only path to a just and lasting peace.
They expressed support for accountability measures, including sanctions against those responsible for illegal settlement activities. The foreign ministers called for an end to support or funding that aids the establishment or expansion of illegal settlements, asserting that a lack of accountability perpetuates violations and hinders peace prospects.
The ministers urged immediate action to halt the E1 settlement plan and all associated activities aimed at altering the geographic and demographic character of the occupied Palestinian territory. They appealed to the UN Security Council and international bodies to take effective measures to stop illegal expansion and protect Palestinian rights, including their right to self-determination and statehood.