Jordan's King Abdullah warns Israeli West Bank steps threaten regional stability
Jordan's King Abdullah II cautioned during meetings with British officials in London that "illegal" Israeli measures in the occupied West Bank undermine de-escalation efforts and risk widening the conflict. His warning follows Israel's approval of land registration moves condemned by Palestinians as annexation.
According to a royal court statement, the monarch discussed regional developments with British officials and parliament members during his official visit to the UK capital. "The illegal Israeli measures that seek to entrench settlements and impose sovereignty over the land undermine de-escalation efforts and threaten to exacerbate the conflict," Abdullah warned, highlighting growing international concern over Israeli actions in Palestinian territory.
Land seizure marks historic shift
The king's comments came one day after Israel's government approved a proposal to register West Bank land as "state property" for the first time since occupying the territory in 1967. Israeli media reported the measure includes reopening frozen land registration procedures, canceling Jordanian-era legislation, and disclosing records kept confidential for decades. According to Israel Hayom newspaper, the initiative aims for the "gradual settlement of 15% of Area C by 2030," signaling long-term strategic objectives.
Oslo framework under pressure
Under the 1995 Oslo II Accord, the West Bank is divided into three areas: Area A under full Palestinian control, Area B under Palestinian civil administration with Israeli security control, and Area C under full Israeli control, comprising approximately 61 percent of West Bank territory. Palestinians maintain that Israel rarely grants building permits in Area C, effectively blocking development. The new measures represent what Palestinians view as a prelude to formal annexation and a step toward de facto incorporation of large Palestinian territories.
International legal context
The developments follow the International Court of Justice's landmark July 2024 opinion declaring Israel's occupation illegal and calling for evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. For regional stakeholders including Türkiye, which maintains strong support for Palestinian rights and the two-state solution, Jordan's diplomatic engagement with Britain underscores the urgency of international action to preserve the territorial basis for a viable Palestinian state and prevent further erosion of peace prospects.
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