Pakistan strongly condemns Israel’s move to extend “sovereignty” over Occupied West Bank

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has strongly condemned Israel’s attempt to extend its so-called “sovereignty” over parts of the Occupied West Bank, including illegal settlements, through a draft law introduced in the Israeli parliament.

In a statement, the Foreign Office termed the move a blatant violation of international law, United Nations Security Council resolutions, and the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. It said such provocative and unlawful actions undermine ongoing efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region.

Islamabad urged the international community to take urgent and decisive action to stop these illegal steps and hold the Israeli authorities accountable for continued violations of international law.

Reaffirming its unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, Pakistan reiterated its call for the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and contiguous State of Palestine, based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

The statement added that Pakistan remains committed to working with regional and international partners to uphold the rights of Palestinians and ensure peace, justice, and dignity for them.

Meanwhile, Israel’s parliament on Wednesday gave preliminary approval to a bill applying Israeli law to the occupied West Bank — a move tantamount to annexation of land Palestinians seek for their future state.

The legislation, which passed its first reading by 25 votes to 24, was proposed by lawmakers outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling coalition. Another bill by the opposition proposing the annexation of the Maale Adumim settlement also passed its initial stage by 31 votes to nine.

Some members of Netanyahu’s coalition, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, supported the move. However, the Likud party itself did not back the legislation, which must still go through several stages before becoming law.

The vote coincided with U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Israel, a month after President Donald Trump stated he would not allow Israel to annex the West Bank.

The Palestinian foreign ministry condemned the Knesset’s move, saying Israel has “no sovereignty over Palestinian land,” while Hamas called the bills “an expression of the occupation’s colonial ambitions.”

The United Nations and most of the international community regard Israel’s presence in the West Bank as an illegal occupation. The UN’s highest court ruled in 2024 that Israel’s occupation and settlements in Palestinian territories are unlawful and must be withdrawn.

The UAE, which normalised ties with Israel under the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords, also recently warned that annexation of the West Bank would cross a red line for the Gulf state.

US warns Israel against West Bank annexation

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that Israeli moves toward annexing parts of the occupied West Bank could jeopardise President Donald Trump’s plan to end the Gaza war, which has so far produced a fragile ceasefire.

Speaking to reporters before departing for Israel on Wednesday, Rubio said Washington does not support the annexation drive and believes it could “threaten the peace deal.”

His visit follows repeated flare-ups that have strained the U.S.-brokered truce between Israel and Hamas, which ended two years of fighting that began after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. The conflict has killed more than 68,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, and left much of the enclave in ruins.

Overnight, residents reported heavy gunfire and shelling in parts of Khan Younis and Gaza City, though calm returned by morning. Gaza officials said one person was killed by Israeli drone fire.

Rubio’s trip aims to push forward Trump’s 20-point peace plan focused on reconstruction, governance reforms, and steps toward Palestinian statehood. He was preceded by U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.

Meanwhile, Israel’s parliament has given initial approval to a bill applying Israeli law to the occupied West Bank — a move widely viewed as annexation. The measure passed by 25 votes to 24, though Netanyahu’s Likud party did not back it.

The United Nations and most of the international community regard Israeli settlements in the West Bank, home to about half a million settlers, as illegal under international law.

Analysts say the annexation move could further strain efforts to maintain the Gaza ceasefire and derail future peace initiatives in the region.