New York, 18 February 2026 (dpa/MIA) - Dozens of countries on Tuesday condemned Israel's plans to expand its presence in the West Bank.

"We strongly condemn unilateral Israeli decisions and measures aimed at expanding Israel's unlawful presence in the West Bank," read a statement signed by 85 states and a number of international organizations.

"Such decisions are contrary to Israel's obligations under international law and must be immediately reversed. We underline in this regard our strong opposition to any form of annexation."

The signatories include Germany, France, China and Russia. The United States is not.

According to media reports, the Israeli government has approved a highly controversial proposal to make it easier for Israeli settlers to purchase land in the West Bank. The move could have far-reaching consequences for the Palestinian population in the West Bank.

A joint statement by eight Muslim-majority countries earlier on Tuesday said that the decision approves procedures for the registration and settlement of land ownership across extensive areas of the occupied West Bank for the first time since 1967. All eight countries were also among the signatories of the more recent statement.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry characterized the statement by the eight Muslim-majority countries as "factually baseless and intentionally misleading."

Israel had merely approved an "administrative measure this week within the realms of civil and property law," the ministry said.

Israeli media also reported that Jerusalem is to be expanded further into the West Bank for the first time in nearly 60 years through a new settlement project.

Specifically, hundreds of new housing units are to be built near a settlement in East Jerusalem that was taken over by Israel in 1967 and later annexed, Israeli news site ynet reported, among others.

"We reiterate our rejection of all measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character and status of the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem," the more recent statement read.

"Such measures violate international law, undermine the ongoing efforts for peace and stability in the region, run counter to the Comprehensive Plan, and jeopardize the prospect of reaching a peace agreement ending the conflict."

During the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel took over the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Today, around 700,000 Israeli settlers live there among 3 million Palestinians.

The Palestinians claim the territories for a state of their own, with East Jerusalem as the capital.

Photo: MIA archive