Palestinian Ambassador to the U.N., Riyad H. Mansour, is flanked by diplomats of different nations as he reads out an announcement. Supply: Palestinian Mission to U.N.
India has added its title to the record of nations criticising Israel for its unilateral measures on the West Financial institution. India had not joined the unique group of 85 nations that introduced the assertion on Tuesday (February 17, 2026)
The assertion was endorsed by the League of Arab States; the European Union; BRICS founder members Russia, China, Brazil, and South Africa; India’s Quad companions Australia and Japan; and neighbouring nations, together with Bangladesh, the Maldives, Mauritius, and Pakistan. It got here simply forward of a UN assembly on the difficulty and the U.S.-led Board of Peace assembly in Washington on Thursday.
The joint assertion was issued at a “stakeout” on Tuesday (February 17, 2026), and it was learn out by the Palestinian Ambassador to the UN, flanked by diplomats from dozens of nations that co-signed the doc.
Additionally Learn | India adds its name to list of countries criticising Israel’s unilateral measures on West Bank
“We strongly condemn unilateral Israeli selections and measures aimed toward increasing Israel’s illegal presence within the West Financial institution,” Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour mentioned.
“We underline on this regard our sturdy opposition to any type of annexation,” Mr. Mansour mentioned, including that the assertion rejected all measures “aimed toward altering the demographic composition, character and standing of the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, together with East Jerusalem”.
Over the previous few months, following the ceasefire in Gaza, the Israeli Knesset has handed quite a few plans to tighten its management over land within the Palestinian West Financial institution’s “A” and “B” Areas, which have been administered by the Palestinian Authority for the reason that Oslo Accords (1993-1995). Among the many measures are the elimination of restrictions on the acquisition of land by outsiders and the checking of documentation for these at the moment residing on the land, which is seen as a precursor to occupying and annexing the territory, as Israeli settlers have accomplished elsewhere.
“Such measures violate worldwide regulation, undermine the continued efforts for peace and stability within the area, run counter to the Complete Plan and jeopardise the prospect of reaching a peace settlement ending the battle,” the assertion mentioned.
Previous to the event, the absence of India’s title within the assertion drew sturdy criticism from diplomats on social media. Former Ambassador to Iran Ok.C. Singh referred to as it “regrettable that India has chosen Israeli nook so blatantly” and questioned whether or not the transfer was additionally linked to assist India’s ties with the U.S.
“Strategic autonomy was meant to increase India’s decisions, not shrink its ethical vocabulary. If autonomy turns into avoidance of normative positions altogether, it begins trying much less like independence and extra like hedging,” wrote former Overseas Secretary Nirupama Menon Rao, referring to India’s regular positions on the Israel-Palestine battle.
On January 31, Exterior Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had hosted a gathering of the League of Arab States and met Palestinian Overseas Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin. It’s unclear whether or not Mr. Jaishankar mentioned Mr. Modi’s upcoming go to to Israel, his first since July 2017, and whether or not Mr. Modi was additionally planning a visit to Palestine subsequently as he had in February 2018.
The go to to Israel has been below dialogue for some weeks and comes after Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu postpone his go to to India final November, reportedly for safety causes. Mr. Modi’s journey to Israel may also come weeks after the discharge of the “Epstein recordsdata” within the U.S., the place the late American investor and convicted intercourse offender Jeffery Epstein had claimed in correspondence with a Qatari interlocutor that Mr. Modi “danced and sang” on the behest of U.S. President Donald Trump (in his earlier tenure), an allegation the Exterior Affairs Ministry denied strongly.
Revealed – February 18, 2026 10:49 pm IST
