United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday condemned Israel’s decision to classify areas of the occupied West Bank as “state property”, reports Anadolu.
– The Secretary-General condemns the Israeli government’s February 15 decision to continue land registration procedures in Zone C of the occupied West Bank, following the cabinet decision of May 2025 – Guterres spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a press conference, warning that such a move could deprive Palestinians of their property and expand Israeli control over land in the area.
– Such measures, including the continued presence of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, are not only destabilizing but, as the International Court of Justice reminded, are also illegal – said Dujarric.
The statement came a day after the Israeli government approved a proposal to register Palestinian land in the West Bank as “state property.”
Israel’s public broadcaster reported that the proposal was submitted by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Defense Minister Israel Katz.
The Palestinians consider these measures a prelude to the formal annexation of the West Bank and a step towards the de facto annexation of large parts of the territory, which they claim would seriously undermine the two-state solution supported by the United Nations.
Calling on Israel to “immediately reverse these measures”, Guterres warned that “the current course of events on the ground undermines the prospects for a two-state solution”.
– The Secretary General reiterates that all Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as well as the regime associated with them, have no legal validity and represent a flagrant violation of international law and relevant UN resolutions – Dujarric told reporters.
He also stated that Guterres called on all parties to “preserve the only path to lasting peace – a negotiated two-state solution, in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions and international law.”
(Vijesti.ba)
