Dar slams Israel's 'de facto annexation' of West Bank at OIC moot

-- OIC meeting in Jeddah condemns 'expansionist mindset'

JEDDAH: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday strongly criticised Israel’s move to register large parts of the occupied West Bank as “state property,” calling it evidence of an annexationist and expansionist agenda that disregards international law.

Addressing the executive committee meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah, Dar said the latest measures reflected a mindset “bereft of any regard for international law or humanitarian norms.”

The meeting followed the Israeli government’s approval of a proposal to formally register vast areas of the occupied West Bank as state land — the first such move since the 1967 occupation.

Dar highlighted what he described as continued ceasefire violations, expansion of illegal settlements and annexation attempts, warning that such actions undermine prospects for a “just and lasting peace in the Middle East.”

He recalled that in September 2025, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), a group of eight Islamic countries, including Pakistan, engaged with the US president and were assured that annexation of the West Bank would not take place.

“On the ground, Israel continues with brazen impunity to expand illegal settlements,” he said, terming the actions violations of international law, the UN Charter and UN Security Council Resolution 2803.

The foreign minister urged the international community to act decisively to halt Israeli measures and ensure implementation of prior assurances.

He stressed the need for immediate reconstruction and recovery of Gaza with full Palestinian ownership, accountability for war crimes, and a credible, time-bound political pathway toward an independent Palestinian state.

Dar also called for the protection of holy sites, including the Al Aqsa Mosque, and demanded an end to displacement and demographic changes in the occupied territories.

Referring to remarks by US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee suggesting openness to Israeli control over large parts of the region, Dar termed such statements “irresponsible, deeply concerning and condemnable.”

Reiterating Pakistan’s longstanding stance, Dar said the country would remain at the forefront of advancing the Palestinian cause and stand with Arab nations in defending their territorial integrity.

Drawing parallels between Palestine and India-occupied Kashmir, he urged the OIC to intensify efforts for a just resolution of both disputes.

Earlier this week, the OIC, along with Pakistan, the Arab League and 20 other Muslim and European countries, jointly condemned what they described as Israel’s “unacceptable de facto annexation” attempts in the West Bank.

Dar is currently on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia and is expected to hold bilateral meetings with counterparts from OIC member states on the sidelines of the ministerial session, along with visits to the holy cities.