Pakistan, alongside several Arab and Islamic nations, has strongly condemned Israel’s expansion of settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories and its recent military strikes in Syria. These actions, they warn, jeopardize regional peace, stability, and the prospects for a political resolution.
In two distinct joint statements released on August 21, 2026, Pakistan collaborated with other Muslim countries to reject Israel’s “E1” settlement initiative in the occupied West Bank and to denounce Israeli airstrikes on the Abu al-Duhur military airbase in northwestern Syria.
The declaration addressing Palestine was issued jointly by Pakistan, Egypt, Türkiye, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Meanwhile, the statement concerning Syria was signed by the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Türkiye, Algeria, Indonesia, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mauritania, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Somalia.
Regarding the E1 settlement plan, the foreign ministers of these eight countries unequivocally condemned Israel’s ongoing settlement policies in the occupied Palestinian territory. They categorically rejected the E1 plan and associated settlement activities east of occupied East Jerusalem, emphasizing that such measures violate international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.
The ministers also condemned acts of violence and violations allegedly committed by Israeli settlers, supported by Israeli authorities, against Palestinians and their properties. These actions were described as a serious threat to both regional and international peace and security.
They labeled the E1 plan a “dangerous escalation” that would accelerate settlement expansion and annexation, undermining the geographical continuity of the occupied Palestinian territories. Particularly, the plan threatens the territorial link between the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which jeopardizes the viability of an independent and contiguous Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The statement referenced US President Donald Trump’s Comprehensive Plan, noting its rejection of annexation and forced displacement, as well as mechanisms proposed for its implementation, including the Board of Peace. The ministers highlighted Trump’s commitment to preventing West Bank annexation as a step toward stability and conflict resolution.
The eight foreign ministers reaffirmed that a two-state solution, grounded in international law and pertinent UN resolutions, remains the sole feasible path to achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace. They warned that actions undermining this solution risk escalating tensions and threatening peace both regionally and internationally.
These countries also supported efforts to hold accountable those responsible for illegal settlement activities in Palestine. They called for international sanctions against individuals and entities involved in settlement expansion and annexation, including those facilitating or financing such actions.
The ministers urged an immediate halt to the E1 settlement plan and the reversal of all related measures. They demanded a cessation of settlement projects and any initiatives aimed at altering the demographic and geographic character of the occupied Palestinian territories.
Furthermore, the UN Security Council, member states, and relevant international actors were urged to fulfill their obligations under international law by taking urgent and effective steps to stop settlement expansion. The statement emphasized the protection of Palestinian rights, including self-determination, and the realization of an independent Palestinian state in accordance with international law and UN resolutions.
In a separate declaration, Pakistan and eleven other Muslim countries strongly condemned the Israeli airstrikes on the Abu al-Duhur military airbase in northwestern Syria. These nations described the attacks as an “extreme escalation” and a “flagrant violation” of Syria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political unity.
The foreign ministers expressed grave concern over Israel’s continued assaults on Syrian territory and infrastructure, warning that such actions undermine Syria’s efforts to restore security, rebuild institutions, and address the humanitarian fallout from years of conflict.
They cautioned that Israel’s ongoing violations could further escalate tensions, disrupt regional peace, and erode adherence to international law and the UN Charter.
The twelve countries called on the international community to adopt a firm stance against continued aggression toward Syria. They urged states to take concrete measures in line with international law and the UN Charter to halt violations and ensure compliance with the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.
The ministers also demanded the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied areas, warning that ongoing military activities risk further escalation and regional instability. They underscored the importance of respecting Syria’s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and political unity, rejecting any attempts to undermine these principles.
Both statements, issued in Islamabad, reflect increasing coordination among Pakistan and Arab and Muslim countries in response to Israel’s actions in Palestine and Syria.
