New Delhi, February 19, 2026 — India has added its name to a United Nations joint declaration signed by more than one hundred countries condemning recent unilateral actions by Israel in the West Bank. The move places New Delhi within a broad international consensus that includes the European Union, the Arab League, and several BRICS partners, all warning that the measures risk undermining prospects for a two‑state solution.
The declaration highlights Israeli cabinet decisions introducing a new land registration process and easing restrictions on property acquisitions in occupied territory. Signatories argue these steps contravene international law and threaten the demographic and legal status of Palestinian lands defined by pre‑1967 borders. The statement calls for an immediate reversal of the policies, stressing that they jeopardize regional stability and the viability of future negotiations.
India’s endorsement comes after initial speculation when its name was absent from the group of eighty‑five countries that released the declaration earlier in the week. By joining the coalition, New Delhi reaffirmed its long‑standing support for Palestinian sovereignty and territorial integrity, while maintaining a strategic partnership with Israel in areas such as defence, agriculture, and technology.
Humanitarian organizations have also criticised the Israeli measures, warning they could lead to displacement and settlement expansion under the guise of administrative reform. The UN statement urges all parties to return to dialogue and avoid unilateral actions that predetermine the final status of disputed territory.
