U.N. statement: secretary-general says Israeli measures in West Bank threaten two-state solution, calls for reversal

The United Nations secretary-general said in a statement that he is "gravely concerned by the reported decision of the Israeli security cabinet to authorize a series of administrative and enforcement measures in Area A and Area B of the occupied West Bank." The statement singled out the cabinet decision as a harmful development and warned of wider consequences.

The statement said the "current trajectory on the ground, including this decision, is eroding the prospects for a two-state solution," framing the measures as a setback to diplomatic efforts. It reiterated the secretary-general's long-standing position that "all Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem and their associated regime and infrastructure have no legal validity and are in flagrant violation of international law, including relevant United Nations resolutions."

The statement added that such actions, "including Israel's continuing presence in the occupied Palestinian territory, are not only destabilizing, but, as recalled by the International Court of Justice, unlawful." The language invokes international legal authority and U.N. resolutions to underline the statement's legal assessment.

The statement concluded with a direct call for action: "The secretary general calls on Israel to reverse these measures and all parties to preserve the only path to lasting peace, which is a negotiated two-state solution in line with relevant Security Council resolutions and international law." No further details on timing, enforcement, or follow-up steps were provided in the text.

The statement is public and presents the United Nations' diplomatic position: it characterizes the cabinet decision as harmful to peace prospects, asserts the illegality of settlements under international law, and urges reversal to enable negotiations toward a two-state solution.