Pakistan has issued a strong condemnation of new Israeli legislation that seeks to apply Israeli law to parts of the occupied West Bank, labeling the move a “flagrant violation” of international law.
Pakistan’s Formal Condemnation and Stance
In an official statement released on Thursday, the Foreign Office (FO) denounced the attempt to extend Israeli “sovereignty” over areas of the West Bank, including existing illegal settlements. The FO declared that such “provocative and unlawful measures” directly undermine efforts to achieve regional peace and stability. It called upon the international community to take “urgent and decisive action” to stop these steps and hold Israel accountable for its continued violations.
Preliminary Approval of Annexation Bills
The condemnation follows a preliminary vote in the Israeli Knesset on Wednesday, where lawmakers advanced two bills concerning annexation. One bill, which passed by a narrow margin of 25-24, was introduced by lawmakers outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling coalition, which did not officially support it. A second bill focusing on the annexation of the Ma’ale Adumim settlement also passed. This legislative action represents the first of four required approvals for the law to be enacted and coincided with the visit of US Vice President JD Vance to Israel.
International Law and the Wider Reaction
The move has been met with significant international criticism. The United Nations and a majority of the international community consider the West Bank occupied territory, a stance reinforced by a 2024 ruling from the UN’s highest court that declared Israel’s occupation and settlements illegal. The US government also expressed concern, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that such annexation moves are “threatening for the peace deal” recently brokered in Gaza. While acknowledging Israel’s democratic process, Rubio noted that annexation is “not something we can be supportive of right now” and is considered “counterproductive.”
Reaffirmation of Pakistan’s Position on Palestine
Concluding its statement, the Pakistani government reaffirmed its “unwavering support” for the Palestinian cause. It reiterated its commitment to the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and viable Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al Quds Al Sharif (East Jerusalem) as its capital. The FO pledged to continue working with international partners to uphold the rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination.
