Iraq condemns Israeli Knesset bid to annex West Bank
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Iraq condemns the Israeli Knesset’s approval of bills to impose control over the occupied West Bank, calling it a violation of international law.
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Israeli settlers stand near members of Israeli forces blocking access for Palestinians to an area for harvesting olives in the West Bank village of Sair, near al-Khalil, Thursday, October 23, 2025. (AP)
Iraq’s Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the Israeli Knesset’s approval of two draft laws seeking to annex the occupied West Bank, calling the move a blatant violation of international law and a threat to regional stability.
In a statement issued Friday, the ministry said the “expansionist measures practiced by the Israeli occupation undermine prospects for stability and perpetuate the reality of occupation and settlement.”
According to the Israeli Channel 14, the Knesset approved on Thursday, in a preliminary reading, two bills to extend Israeli law over the occupied West Bank. The proposed legislation was supported by the so-called “Land of Israel Lobby,” led by Knesset members Yuli Edelstein, Limor Son Har Melech, and Simcha Rothman.
The lobby’s leaders called on all members of the Knesset to back the initiative and urged the government to “grant freedom of voting on this issue.” Analysts say the bills reflect the growing influence of Israeli lawmakers pushing for de facto annexation of Palestinian territories.
Arab and Islamic states denounce Israeli move
The proposed laws drew immediate condemnation from across the Arab and Islamic world. 14 countries and international organizations, including Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, Oman, The Gambia, Palestine, Qatar, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, and Nigeria, issued a joint statement rejecting the Knesset’s decision.
The League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also condemned the move, describing it as a “flagrant violation of international law and UN Security Council resolutions.”
Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the suspension of the annexation bill “until further notice.” However, the Israeli regime's ongoing settlement expansion and military presence in the occupied West Bank continue to amount to de facto annexation.
Iraq’s Foreign Ministry reaffirmed its “firm support for the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights,” urging the international community to take “decisive measures” to halt Israeli violations and prevent further escalation in the occupied territories.
'Sovereignty' over West Bank will not proceed
Alongside the Israeli Prime Minister, right-wing Coalition Chairman MK Ofir Katz announced that Netanyahu ordered that the legislation regarding Israeli "sovereignty" over the West Bank will not proceed for the time being.
Katz noted that the directive was given due to Knesset members acting against Netanyahu's position, causing the bill to be approved.
Netanyahu's statement also followed US Vice President JD Vance's statement in opposition to he bill, calling it "weird" and stating, "If it was a political stunt, then it was a stupid political stunt, and I personally take some insult to it."
Other voices of opposition include US President Donald Trump, who said during an interview with Time Magazine that annexation "will not happen," warning that "Israel would lose all of its support from the United States if that happened," as he asserted, "I gave my word to the Arabs."
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also voiced against the annexation of the West Bank, warning that it may threaten Trump's ceasefire deal.
