Indonesian MoFA Condemns US Ambassador's Statement on West Bank

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mofa) strongly condemned United States Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee's statement that Israel's occupation of the West Bank was an acceptable step.

On Sunday, February 22, 2026, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a joint statement with the foreign ministries of Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and the secretariats of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the League of Arab States (LAS), and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

"We express our strong condemnation and deep concern over the statement by the United States Ambassador to Israel, which indicates that Israel's actions to take over territories belonging to Arab countries, including the occupied West Bank, are acceptable," the statement read, as quoted by Antara.

The statement reiterated the rejection of dangerous and provocative statements that constitute a clear violation of international law and the UN Charter, posing a threat to regional security and stability.

The Arab and Muslim countries emphasized that the US ambassador's statement supporting the Israeli occupation contradicts the vision expressed by US President Donald Trump and the comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict.

"The plan is based on strengthening tolerance and peaceful coexistence. Statements that seek to legitimize the occupation of another's land undermine that goal, fuel tensions, and constitute incitement rather than promoting peace," said the joint statement.

Reiterating their rejection of any attempt to annex the West Bank or separate it from the Gaza Strip, Arab and Muslim countries strongly oppose the expansion of settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. They also categorically reject any threat to the sovereignty of Arab states.

"Israel has no sovereignty whatsoever over the Occupied Palestinian Territory or any other occupied Arab territory," they asserted.

The ministries warned that Israel's continued expansionist policies and unlawful measures would exacerbate violence and conflict in the region, undermining prospects for peace. They called for an end to inflammatory statements.

They reaffirmed their commitment to the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, to establishing an independent state based on the June 4, 1967 lines, and to ending the occupation of all Arab territories. ***