LBCI

Arab states criticize Israel as it expands powers in occupied West Bank

Middle East News

09-02-2026 | 11:36

Share

Share

Arab states criticize Israel as it expands powers in occupied West Bank

Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates led regional states on Monday in condemning Israel's move to ease settlement expansion and widen its powers in the West Bank, a step critics said went in the direction of annexing occupied land.

Sunday's decisions by Israel's security cabinet will make it easier for Jewish settlers to buy land in the West Bank and give Israeli authorities more power to act in areas supposedly under full Palestinian control, two senior Israeli ministers said.

One of them, ultranationalist Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, said in announcing the decisions that the government would "continue to kill the idea of a Palestinian state."

A joint statement by foreign ministers of Middle Eastern and some other Muslim countries, including Egypt and Turkey, denounced the decisions as a violation of international law that would undermine the vision of a two-state solution as well as stability in the region.

Reuters

Middle East News

Arab

Israel

Occupied

West Bank

Next

Netanyahu-Trump talks near: Israel expands Lebanon attacks while seeking US green light on Iran

Iran ready to dilute highly enriched uranium if all sanctions lifted: Nuclear chief

Previous

Recommended For You

Iran state TV says third round of US talks expected 'tonight or tomorrow'

Middle East News

13:44

Iran state TV says third round of US talks expected 'tonight or tomorrow'

Iraqi parliament elects Nizar Amedi as country's new president

Middle East News

12:09

Iraqi parliament elects Nizar Amedi as country's new president

France's Macron says discussed Iran ceasefire, Ukraine with Turkey's Erdogan

08:21

France's Macron says discussed Iran ceasefire, Ukraine with Turkey's Erdogan

Saudi Arabia says Pakistan sends fighter jets to kingdom under defense pact

Middle East News

08:06

Saudi Arabia says Pakistan sends fighter jets to kingdom under defense pact

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Beirut struck in ‘highly sophisticated’ Israeli operation; analysts cite possible communications breach

News Bulletin Reports

2026-04-09

Beirut struck in ‘highly sophisticated’ Israeli operation; analysts cite possible communications breach

Iran says will hit all Mideast economic hubs if US-Israeli attacks persist

Middle East News

2026-03-03

Iran says will hit all Mideast economic hubs if US-Israeli attacks persist

Government sources to LBCI: PM Salam delays US visit to oversee security plan in Lebanon

11:11

Government sources to LBCI: PM Salam delays US visit to oversee security plan in Lebanon

Rubio says Iran 'trying to hold world hostage' with strikes

Middle East News

2026-03-09

Rubio says Iran 'trying to hold world hostage' with strikes

Videos

Iran uses cluster bombs to target Israel: AiTelly explains what happens when a missile is intercepted—Video

2026-03-25

Iran uses cluster bombs to target Israel: AiTelly explains what happens when a missile is intercepted—Video

At least 19 killed after strike destroys three-story building in Sir el-Gharbiyeh: Video

2026-03-08

At least 19 killed after strike destroys three-story building in Sir el-Gharbiyeh: Video

Israeli airstrike targets Beirut’s southern suburbs: Video

2026-03-06

Israeli airstrike targets Beirut’s southern suburbs: Video

Intense consecutive airstrikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs: Video

2026-03-05

Intense consecutive airstrikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs: Video

Israeli army launches evening airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs after evacuation warning

2026-03-05

Israeli army launches evening airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs after evacuation warning

Smoke rises over Beirut’s southern suburbs as Israel targets area: Video

2026-03-02

Smoke rises over Beirut’s southern suburbs as Israel targets area: Video

German President Steinmeier meets Lebanon's President Aoun at Baabda Palace—Video

2026-02-16

German President Steinmeier meets Lebanon's President Aoun at Baabda Palace—Video

Future Movement supporters mark Rafic Hariri anniversary, call for Saad Hariri's return to politics

2026-02-14

Future Movement supporters mark Rafic Hariri anniversary, call for Saad Hariri's return to politics

Israel strikes vehicle in Doueir-Wadi Aaba in South Lebanon—Video

2026-02-01

Israel strikes vehicle in Doueir-Wadi Aaba in South Lebanon—Video

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Hezbollah MP says direct talks with Israel are 'blatant violation' of constitution

1

Hezbollah MP says direct talks with Israel are 'blatant violation' of constitution

Diplomacy under pressure: Israel questions Lebanese state as talks approach

2

Diplomacy under pressure: Israel questions Lebanese state as talks approach

Amal Movement and Hezbollah urge supporters to avoid protests amid rising tensions

3

Amal Movement and Hezbollah urge supporters to avoid protests amid rising tensions

Lebanon, US push Israel for temporary halt before talks: Axios

4

Lebanon, US push Israel for temporary halt before talks: Axios

Government sources to LBCI: PM Salam delays US visit to oversee security plan in Lebanon

5

Government sources to LBCI: PM Salam delays US visit to oversee security plan in Lebanon

Lebanon mourns 13 State Security personnel killed in Nabatieh attack

6

Lebanon mourns 13 State Security personnel killed in Nabatieh attack

Hezbollah sources to LBCI: No official call for mobilization, reject direct talks under fire

7

Hezbollah sources to LBCI: No official call for mobilization, reject direct talks under fire

Lebanon-Israel talks: With first contact established, what will Tuesday's meeting hold?

8

Lebanon-Israel talks: With first contact established, what will Tuesday's meeting hold?

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More