Middle Eastern and Asian Nations Condemn Israeli Settlement Activities

Abu dhabi: The Foreign Ministers of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt have collectively condemned Israel's ongoing settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories. The joint statement expressed their complete rejection of the E1 settlement plan and related activities in East Jerusalem, emphasizing that these actions violate international law and United Nations resolutions, and pose a threat to regional and international peace and security. According to Union of OIC News Agencies, the ministers warned that the E1 settlement plan represents a dangerous escalation that threatens the contiguity of the Palestinian territories, particularly between the West Bank and East Jerusalem. They cautioned that this undermines the possibility of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. The statement highlighted the challenge these actions pose to international peace efforts, including the peace pla n proposed by former President Donald Trump, which opposes annexation and forced displacement. The foreign ministers reaffirmed their support for a two-state solution as the only viable path to achieving peace, in line with international law and UN resolutions. They warned that undermining this solution could escalate tensions and jeopardize regional and international stability. The ministers expressed their support for accountability measures against those responsible for illegal settlement activities and called for an end to any support or funding that aids settlement expansion. They emphasized the need for international measures and sanctions to ensure accountability and halt settlement activities. The statement urged immediate action to stop the E1 settlement plan and called upon the UN Security Council and international bodies to uphold their responsibilities. The ministers stressed the importance of protecting Palestinian rights, including self-determination and the establishment of an independent st ate, in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions.