Riyad H. Mansour, Palestinian Permanent Observer to the United Nations, addresses the Security Council during the meeting on the situation in West Asia, at U.N. headquarters in New York City.
| Photo Credit: Reuters
A day after it skipped a joint appearance with other countries at the United Nations to condemn Israel for its plans for West Bank settlements, India signed a joint statement late on Wednesday (February 18, 2026) night.
The statement, which was read out by the Palestinian Ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, on Tuesday (February 17) in New York, criticised the Israeli government for a number of moves to expand its control over the West Bank areas under the Palestinian Authority.
Among those who accompanied Mr. Mansour during the joint press call were diplomats from Arab nations, BRICS members, Quad partners Japan and Australia, European Union member states such as Germany, and all permanent members of the UN Security Council, except for the U.S.
India’s initial decision not to sign the statement, which was endorsed by 85 countries, was seen as linked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s travel to Israel on February 25-26 and his upcoming meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The decision was surprising given India’s traditional support for a Palestinian state and its past criticism of Israel’s settlement policy.
However, more than 24 hours later, the government appeared to shift its position and signed the document.
“More than 100 states and international organizations have joined the statement condemning Israel’s unilateral measures and rejecting annexation,” the Palestinian government announced late on Wednesday (February 18), including India’s name in the statement.
“We reiterate our rejection of all measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character and status of the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem,” said the statement issued in New York. “Such measures violate international law, undermine the ongoing efforts for peace and stability in the region, run counter to the Comprehensive Plan, and jeopardize the prospect of reaching a peace agreement ending the conflict,” it added.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who travelled to Delhi to attend the AI Impact Summit on Wednesday (February 18), had also issued a statement “condemning” the Israeli government’s plans to require documentation from existing landholders and ease restrictions on outsiders acquiring property in the West Bank.
“The decision could lead to the dispossession of Palestinians of their property and risks expanding Israeli control over land in the area. Such measures, including Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, are not only destabilizing but, as recalled by the International Court of Justice, unlawful,” the statement issued by the Secretary-General’s office said.
The External Affairs Ministry refused requests for a comment on the government’s decisions, first to stay away from the joint appearance and then to sign the statement.
The government’s decision to stay out of the statement was criticised by the Opposition and former diplomats, some of whom praised the decision to join the statement later.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said Mr. Modi must “call out” Mr. Netanyahu during his visit to Israel next week and “publicly express India’s grave concern at what Israel is executing in the occupied West Bank”.
India has added its name to the list of countries criticising Israel for its unilateral measures on the West Bank.
Published – February 19, 2026 10:54 pm IST
