International condemnation mounts over approvals seen as violating international law

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Palestinian presidency have led a wave of international condemnation following Israel’s approval of 34 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, a move widely described as a breach of international law.

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In an official statement, the OIC denounced the decision as a direct violation of international legal norms, stressing that Israel, as an occupying power, “has no sovereignty over the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.” The organization added that all measures aimed at altering the territory’s geographic and demographic composition are “null and void” under international law.

The Palestinian presidency echoed this position on Friday, calling the plan a “flagrant violation of international law.” According to Israeli media reports and the Israeli human rights group Peace Now, the approvals were made “in secret” in early April.

The newly approved settlements add to 68 others authorized since the current right-wing coalition led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took office in 2022. Israel’s Channel 24 reported that the security cabinet approved the move during a recent session, describing it as the “largest number of outpost approvals ever passed in a single cabinet meeting.”

The OIC warned of “the gravity of the escalation” in settlement expansion, land confiscation, settler violence, and continued efforts to annex parts of the occupied West Bank and impose what it described as Israeli sovereignty. It stated that such actions aim to “undermine the two-state solution and violate the rights of the Palestinian people.”

Turkey also condemned the decision, calling it a “serious violation of international law and UN resolutions.” The European Union, through foreign affairs spokesperson Anouar El Anouni, urged Israel to “reverse these decisions, comply with its obligations under international law and protect the Palestinian population.”

Sweden’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a similar response, stating that the approvals constitute a “flagrant violation of international law and undermine ongoing efforts for peace and stability in the region.”

Palestinian sources reported that nearly 30 demolitions were recorded in January 2026 alone, bringing the total to 102 in the first quarter of the year across the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem.

Israeli outlet Ynet reported that military chief Eyal Zamir warned on April 1 that the army could “collapse” under increasing personnel demands. The discussion reportedly included the legalization of ten existing outposts previously considered illegal under Israeli law, alongside the construction of 24 new settlements.

Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967. Excluding East Jerusalem, more than 500,000 Israelis live in settlements considered illegal under international law, alongside approximately three million Palestinians. Human rights organizations have documented a sharp rise in settlement approvals, land expropriation, and settler violence since October 2023, when Israel launched its war on Gaza, which has resulted in more than 72,000 Palestinian deaths.

The latest approvals have intensified tensions on the ground, amid growing international calls for compliance with international law and renewed efforts toward a political resolution.

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