Belgium’s foreign ministry strongly condemned a statement by Israel’s far-right economy minister, Bezalel Smotrich, calling for “exercising sovereignty” over the occupied West Bank, Al Jazeera reported.

“Annexation of the West Bank flagrantly violates international law and the rights of the Palestinian people. This unnecessary provocation only further escalates the conflict,” the ministry said.

Earlier Thursday, Hamish Falconer, the UK’s minister for the Middle East and North Africa, also condemned the Israeli move.