PETALING JAYA: Malaysia condemns Israel’s illegal registration of land as “state land” in the occupied West Bank, says Wisma Putra.
“The registration is a brazen attempt to legitimise, under Israeli law, actions that clearly constitute illegal settlement expansion and consolidate the unlawful occupation of the Palestinian territory,” said Wisma Putra in a statement on Thursday (Feb 19).
Earlier reports stated that on Sunday (Feb 15), the Israeli government approved a controversial proposal that makes it easier for Israeli settlers to purchase land in the West Bank.
The proposal allows private Israeli individuals to buy land in the West Bank and transfers part of the territory's administration to Israeli civil authorities.
However, Wisma Putra said that this action seizes Palestinian land, advances annexation, and flagrantly violates international law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, in a manner not seen since 1967.
“The action entrenches the occupation, confiscates Palestinian land and asserts control over Palestinian territory, all of which are unlawful under international law and undermine the rights of the Palestinian people and any prospects for a just two-state solution.
“Malaysia calls on the international community to firmly reject these illegal measures, hold Israel accountable and ensure that the rights of the Palestinian people are respected.
“This includes their inalienable right to their land, which is being systematically encroached upon and appropriated through illegal settlements and registration measures,” the statement read.
Wisma Putra added that Malaysia reaffirms its unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people in their legitimate struggle for freedom, justice and statehood, based on the pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Bernama reported that on the same day (Feb 15), the Palestinian Foreign Ministry declared Israel’s proposal to register large areas of the West Bank as “state property” legally null and void.
The ministry posted on social media that Israel’s move aims to advance annexation and settlement expansion, and condemned it in the “strongest terms”.
It was also reported that the ministry rejected attempts by Israel to legitimise the seizure, occupation and theft of Palestinian land and the expansion of illegal settlements.
“The ministry calls on the international community, the Security Council and all legal and international bodies to stand firmly against these accelerating unilateral illegal measures,” the ministry said in the statement, according to Bernama.
