King Abdullah II of Jordan has expressed grave concerns regarding Israel's recent decision to annex land in the occupied West Bank, stating that such actions seriously undermine efforts towards peace and may escalate the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. His statements came during a meeting in London with former British officials and members of Parliament, where he denounced these illegal Israeli measures which are intended to reinforce settlements and impose sovereignty over these territories. The king emphasized that such unilateral steps are detrimental to the fragile calm in the region.

The Israeli government recently approved a decision that allows for the vast seizure of West Bank land by registering it as 'state property' for the first time since 1967. According to Israeli Channel 7, this significant move includes opening up land registration processes which were previously banned, while also repealing older Jordanian legislation. Additionally, it is set to expose land records that have remained confidential for decades, asserting further Israeli control over these areas.

These developments permit Israeli authorities to manage certain religious sites, even those lying within territories administered by the Palestinian Authority. The king's warning highlights the critical nature of these actions, suggesting that they not only threaten the stability of the region but also complicate an already challenging peace process. Abdullah II's remarks reflect broader regional concerns regarding the implications of these Israeli measures on the future of Palestinian statehood and the prospect for lasting peace in the area.