Arab League condemns escalation of Israeli actions in West Bank

The Arab League has condemned the escalation of Israeli actions in Hebron and across the occupied West Bank, including threats to evacuate and demolish Palestinian neighborhoods, the forced displacement of residents, attacks on civilians, their property and holy sites, and the closure of the Al-Haram Al-Ibrahimi Al-Sharif. The League said these measures are part of policies aimed at altering the demographic and geographic reality of the occupied Palestinian territories.

In a statement issued today, the Arab League stressed that these practices constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention. It noted that carrying out threats to evacuate and destroy neighborhoods could, depending on the nature and circumstances, amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity.

The League emphasized that the closure of the Al-Haram Al-Ibrahimi Al-Sharif and restrictions on worshippers’ access violate freedom of worship and religious sanctities, and contravene Israel’s legal obligations as the occupying power. It warned that continued policies of displacement, destruction, and settlement expansion are worsening conditions in the West Bank and risk repeating the tragedies of the Nakba for the Palestinian people.

The Arab League called on the international community to halt Israeli violations and hold those responsible accountable, affirming that ending the occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital is the foundation for a just and lasting peace.