UN Security Council blasts Israel's West Bank plans

The UN Security Council discussed the situation in the Palestinian Territories on the eve of US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace meeting on Gaza ceasefire. ConflictsMiddle EastUN Security Council blasts Israel's West Bank plansKate Hairsine with AP, Reuters02/19/2026February 19, 2026The UN Security Council discussed the situation in the Palestinian Territories on the eve of US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace meeting on Gaza ceasefire.https://p.dw.com/p/590gcAn Israeli flag flies over the settlement of Maale Adumim in the occupied West BankImage: Ronen Zvulun/REUTERSAdvertisementMembers of the UN Security Council have warned that Israel's efforts to expand control in the West Bank posed a threat to prospects of a two-state solution. The situation is "deteriorating rapidly" in the occupied West Bank, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo said in a briefing late on Wednesday. "Widespread raids have been accompanied by home takeovers, mass detentions, movement restrictions and repeated displacement of Palestinian families, particularly in the north," DiCarlo said. "We are witnessing the gradual de facto annexation of the West Bank," she said. In the last few weeks, Israel has launched a contentious land regulation process that will deepen its control in the occupied West Bank.Work for West Bank Palestinians increasingly restrictedTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The West Bank would form the largest part of any future Palestinian state, but many on Israel's religious right view it as Israeli land. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, who chaired the UN meeting, said: "We must prevent the destabilization of the West Bank and preserve the viability of a Palestinian state." The representative of Somalia, a non-permanent UN Security Council member for the 2025-2026 term, called for the international community to "stand together against any attempt to alter the demographic composition of the Palestinian territories by force or coercion." The comments come a day after the UN missions for 85 member states issued a joint statement condemning Israel's expanding control of the West Bank. "We strongly condemn unilateral Israeli decisions and measures aimed at expanding Israel's unlawful presence in the West Bank," the statement said.Outcry over Israel's West Bank settlement planTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The UN meeting also touched on the state of the US-brokered ceasefire deal that took effect in October 2025.. Israeli and Palestinian civil society representatives briefed the Council for the first time since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on Israel that started the war. 'Gaza still not at peace,' despite ceasefire In regard to Gaza, DiCarlo warned that despite the October 2025 ceasefire between the Hamas militant group and Israel, Gaza is "still not at peace." "Collective efforts must now consolidate the ceasefire in Gaza and alleviate the suffering of the population," she said.Gazans prepare for Ramadan amid rubble and destructionTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the Council was "infected with an anti-Israeli obsession" and that no nation has a stronger right than its "historical and documented right to the land of the Bible." Saar also said attention should be focused on the inaugural meeting of  US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace in Washington and not the meeting at the UN. The UN Security Council session on Wednesday was brought forward to prevent scheduling conflicts for representatives attending both meetings.  Europeans largely declined Trump's Board of Peace invitation The agenda for Thursday's Board of Peace gathering is expected to focus on the future of the Gaza Strip beyond the current fragile ceasefire and how to fund the reconstruction. Some 27 nations will attend, with some accepting the $1 billion fee for permanent membership. But major US allies in Europe have declined to join, mostly over questions about the board's mandate and funding. The original goal of the board, as set out by the UN Security Council, was to oversee the Gaza truce and the Palestinian territory's reconstruction. But Trump's vision for the board now seems to be world peace, sparking concerns that it may try to compete with the United Nations. You can read more about European concerns over Trump's Board of Peace in this explainer. Edited by: Sean Sinico Kate Hairsine Reporter and senior editorSend us your feedbackYour feedbackAdvertisement