Eighty-five member states of the United Nations have issued a joint statement condemning what they describe as Israel’s de-facto expansion in the occupied West Bank. Sri Lanka is not among the signatories.
The statement, shared by the Palestinian Mission to the UN on social media, was endorsed by 85 countries along with three major international groupings — the League of Arab States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the European Union.
Countries backing the declaration span multiple regions and include Algeria, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and dozens of others from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
“We strongly condemn unilateral Israeli decisions and measures aimed at expanding Israel’s unlawful presence in the West Bank,” the statement reads. It adds that such actions violate international law and “must be immediately reversed,” underscoring firm opposition to “any form of annexation.”
The joint declaration further reiterates rejection of measures seen as altering the demographic composition and status of Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem. Signatories reaffirmed their commitment to international law, relevant UN resolutions, and efforts toward a two-State solution, calling it the only viable path to lasting peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.
While a broad coalition of nations supported the statement, Sri Lanka was absent from the list of endorsing countries.