Several regional powers, led by Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have strongly condemned recent measures by the Israeli government to facilitate and expand settlement activities in the occupied West Bank. The Operative Information Center-OMM, citing foreign media, reports that decisions adopted by Israel's security cabinet significantly ease the process for Jewish settlers to acquire land in the territory.
In a joint statement, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich indicated that these steps would also strengthen Israeli authority in areas officially under full Palestinian control. Smotrich emphasized that these decisions are intended to effectively eliminate the possibility of a Palestinian state. Foreign ministries from numerous countries, including Egypt and Turkiye, issued statements characterizing the moves as a clear violation of international law and a direct threat to regional stability and the two-state solution.
The security cabinet's technical changes include the removal of confidentiality for land registries, the elimination of requirements for Civil Administration permits, and the extension of Israeli oversight regarding water offenses, archaeological sites, and environmental hazards into Zones "A" and "B". UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed serious concern through his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, stating that the current trajectory undermines prospects for a lasting peace. Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its position that no official relations will be established with Israel until an independent Palestinian state is created.
The West Bank remains a focal point of international diplomacy, as the global community largely considers Israeli settlements in the territory to be illegal under international law. These developments come at a time of heightened regional tensions, where the expansion of settlements is frequently cited by international bodies as a primary obstacle to the Middle East peace process. Azerbaijan, maintaining its commitment to international law and territorial integrity, continues to monitor regional developments closely while supporting a peaceful resolution based on established international norms.
