Pakistan characterises Israeli actions in the West Bank as violations of international law.
Asim Iftikhar, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, asserted on Friday that Israeli actions in the occupied West Bank constitute a breach of international law.
During a United Nations meeting regarding the West Bank, Asim Iftikhar condemned the forced displacement of Palestinians and voiced apprehension about the escalating assaults by Israeli settlers in the area.
He stated that the international community must guarantee Israel adheres to international law. He asserted that Israel’s retention of tax receipts constitutes an effort to undermine the Palestinian economy.
Asim Iftikhar asserted that the sole sustainable resolution for enduring peace in the Middle East is the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
He stated that the expansion of Israeli settlements and annexation actions in the occupied West Bank are undermining the potential for a viable Palestinian state and asked “influential” nations to keep Israel accountable.
Asim Iftikhar Ahmad denounced Israel’s attempts to convert “de facto annexation into de jure control” via new legislative and administrative actions.The methodical annexation of the occupied West Bank, proliferation of unlawful settlements, demolitions, land confiscations, and coerced displacement of Palestinians persist relentlessly, necessitating our focus,” he stated. “Israeli policies and unlawful actions, unparalleled in magnitude and effect, are jeopardising the feasibility of a viable Palestinian state.”
Asim Iftikhar stated that recent Israeli activities, such as land confiscation methods and the augmentation of settlement authority, contravened international law and the Fourth Geneva Convention. He advocated for the prompt rescission of the policies.
Asim Iftikhar stated that the expansion of settlements has significantly intensified in recent years, highlighting that Israel has sanctioned 102 new colonies in almost four years.
He also condemned the contentious E-1 settlement initiative adjacent to East Jerusalem, cautioning that it will render a geographically cohesive Palestinian state unfeasible.
Pakistan expressed concern with the escalating violence perpetrated by occupiers, using UN data indicating that 2025 marked the greatest incidence of attacks against Palestinians by occupiers since the commencement of documenting in 2006.
He reiterated Pakistan’s endorsement of a two-state solution, asserting that enduring peace necessitates the cessation of Israeli occupation and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state founded on pre-1967 boundaries, with East Jerusalem as its capital.