Foreign Ministers of 20 Countries Condemn Israel's West Bank Control

Middle Eastern outlets describe Israel’s recent West Bank measures as part of a long-running plan to annex occupied Palestinian land under the cover of weak international enforcement. They say Arab and Muslim states, joined by some European countries, are trying to build pressure through joint statements and calls for sanctions. They expect stronger coordination in bodies like the Arab League and OIC, but doubt real change without concrete penalties on Israel.

• •Middle Eastern coverage describes Israel’s expanding control in the West Bank as a drive toward permanent annexation of occupied Palestinian territory.
• •Arab and Muslim foreign ministers are portrayed as uniting with some European counterparts to condemn Israel’s West Bank measures as illegal.
• •Hamas is reported as urging states to impose sanctions on Israel over its actions in the occupied West Bank.
• •The Organization of Islamic Cooperation is preparing to discuss Israel’s West Bank measures as a central item, with Pakistan’s foreign minister attending.
• •Commentators in the region argue that the lack of strong Western penalties has encouraged Israel to deepen its control over the West Bank.