Arab League condemns Israeli minister's calls to annex West Bank

The Arab League, which includes the UAE, has condemned statements made by Israel’s Justice Minister Yariv Levin calling for the annexation of the occupied West Bank.

The Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit called the statements “dangerous and irresponsible” and said they reflect an “arrogant” approach that disregards international law which threatens to ignite tensions in the region, adding they are considered “political bullying” that must be confronted by the international community.

Aboul Gheit also reaffirmed that, under international law, the West Bank is an occupied Palestinian territory.

Israeli media quoted Levin, saying: “Beyond the current issues, [it] is a time of historic opportunity that we must not miss.

“The time for sovereignty has come, the time to apply sovereignty. My position on this matter is firm, it is clear." 

Israeli settlers have ramped up attacks on villages in the West Bank since October 7.

The settlers have built outposts in areas deemed illegal under both international and Israeli law. Between 1996 and 2023, an average of seven illegal settler outposts were established annually. In 2024, settlers erected 59.There are around 500,000 settlers living in the West Bank and over 100,000 in East Jerusalem. 

In early June, the Israeli security cabinet approved the establishment of 22 new settlements in the West Bank, in areas where it previously withdrew, as well as new locations deep within the West Bank. 

The UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Norway imposed sanctions on Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir this week - a rare expression of discontent by Israel's longtime allies - over their complicity in settlement expansion.