ANKARA, Feb 17 (Reuters) - Eight countries including Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates strongly condemned Israel's decision to designate some state lands in the occupied West Bank, according to a joint statement published on Tuesday by the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

• Israel's cabinet approved further measures to tighten Israel's control over the West Bank and make it easier for settlers to buy land, a move Palestinians called a "de-facto annexation".

• Eight countries said such policies constitute a "dangerous escalation that will further heighten tensions and instability" in the territory and wider region.

• Measures represent "flagrant violation of international law," statement says.

• States' foreign ministers "call upon the international community to assume its responsibilities and take clear and decisive steps to halt these violations," statement says.