OIC Foreign Ministers Condemn Israel's West Bank Annexation Plans in Emergency Session

OIC Convenes Emergency Session in Jeddah

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held an emergency meeting of its foreign ministers on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at its General Secretariat headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The session, convened at the request of the State of Palestine, addressed Israel's recent plans to designate significant portions of the occupied West Bank as 'state property,' a move that critics argue constitutes de facto annexation and a serious breach of international law.

The meeting saw participation from numerous foreign ministers, ambassadors, and diplomatic delegations from member states, aiming to forge a unified stance against what the OIC views as escalating Israeli violations in Palestinian territories.

Israeli Measures Deemed 'Null and Void' by OIC

The OIC strongly condemned Israel's actions, declaring them 'null and void' and a 'flagrant violation of international humanitarian law.' Among the specific Israeli measures highlighted were:

• The approval of a unilateral 'land registration process' in the occupied West Bank on February 15, 2026, which is perceived as formalizing the confiscation of Palestinian lands.
• Decisions to remove obstacles preventing illegal settlers from directly purchasing land.
• Granting Israeli authorities expanded powers to seize areas under Palestinian administrative responsibility.
• Stripping local governance powers in the city of Hebron to establish an Israel-affiliated 'parallel municipality.'
• A declaration on January 5, 2026, designating 694 dunams of land in the northern West Bank as 'state land.'
• An allocation of over 244 million NIS for a government mechanism to facilitate land registration in Area C, transferring these powers to Israel's Ministry of Justice.

Sering Modou Njie, Foreign Minister of The Gambia and Chair of the Islamic Summit, stated that these Israeli decisions to expand settlement activity and alter the legal, demographic, and geographic character of the occupied territory are illegal under the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 and violate UN Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016).

Calls for International Action and Two-State Solution

The OIC called upon the global community, particularly the UN General Assembly and the Security Council, to uphold their responsibilities and ensure an immediate reversal of all Israeli measures aimed at de facto annexation. The organization reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the Middle East based on the Two-State Solution, in line with the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant UN resolutions. This includes the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine within the June 4, 1967, borders, with Al-Quds Al-Shareef (East Jerusalem) as its capital.

The foreign ministers also condemned remarks made by US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, describing them as 'provocative' and lacking any legal or historical basis. Furthermore, the OIC criticized the US Embassy's decision to provide consular services to Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, viewing such steps as encouraging Israel's control over Palestinian and Arab lands.

Broader Regional Concerns and Gaza Ceasefire

The emergency meeting also addressed the broader regional context, including the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Participants called for advancing the implementation of a plan to end the war, including a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire, full Israeli withdrawal, and the unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. The OIC reiterated its support for the State of Palestine in recovery and reconstruction efforts, emphasizing the unity of the Palestinian territory, encompassing both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.