Global rejection of Israel’s annexation plan of West Bank
CAPITALS, (ST)_The set- backs of the Palestinian people , who are under the occupation of the Israeli enemy that receives unlimited support from the United States, continue, one after the other, as the occupation authority works on implementing its plan of annexing part of the West Bank in accordance with the so-called ‘ The Deal of the Century”, which was announced by the U.S. in late January.
The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced his determination to implement the annexation plan by at the beginning of next month.
The Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stressed his rejection of Israeli annexation plans, whether in whole or partial.
The Egyptian Foreign ministry expressed its concern over circulated reports on annexation plans by the Israeli government in the West Bank territories, and of the consequences of such a step on regional peace and security, and affirmed Egypt’s rejection of any unilateral measures in contravention of international law.
Russia also considered the annexation plan as a dangerous escalation. Its U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia warned that the doors to a two-state solution may be closed and “no time should be wasted.”
He said international cooperation and action is needed now “as never before.”
Moreover, China rejects Israel’s endeavors to annex large swaths of the territories of the State of Palestine – the territories designated to be part of the future Palestinian state, today said a Chinese diplomat.
In an interview with the Palestine News & Information Agency (WAFA), Chinese ambassador to Palestine Guo Wei asserted his country’s rejection of Israel’s plan to annex part of the occupied West Bank lands and of any unilateral measures that undermine peace and stability.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson stressed in the House of Commons that his government strongly objects to Israel’s annexation of the occupied West Bank.
“I believe that what is proposed by Israel would amount to a breach of international law and we strongly object to it, and we believe profoundly in a two-state solution and will continue to make that case,” Johnson explained.
Germany’s foreign minister also warned Israel that its plan to annex parts of the West Bank would violate international law.
It is time for the EU to act. There is no time to lose. The statement that EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell issued saying that “we strongly urge Israel to refrain from any unilateral decision that would lead to the annexation of any occupied Palestinian territory and that would be, as such, contrary to international law” is a step in the right direction, but it is not enough. The EU must move from issuing press statements to taking concrete actions by suspending its Association Agreement with Israel on grounds of breach of Article 2, which demands the respect for human rights. There are other actions that the EU can take before the annexation is complete, such as the imposition of a ban on imports from illegal Israeli settlements or an end to arms trade with Israel.
The EU should further suspend Israel’s participation in programs financed by the EU such as Erasmus+ or Horizon.
“Annexation is illegal. Period. Any annexation. Whether it is 30 per cent of the West Bank, or 5 per cent,” Michelle Bachelet said in a statement on Monday, urging Israel to reverse its decision and retreat from a “dangerous path.”
The Belgian federal parliament adopted a resolution on Friday urging the government to prepare a list of countermeasures against Israel in case it annexes the occupied Palestinian territories.
The resolution was proposed by the Green party, and passed with 101 votes in favor and 39 abstentions.
The text calls the government to “play a leading role at European and multilateral level in order to set up a list of effective countermeasures to respond proportionately to any Israeli annexation of the occupied Palestinian territory.”
Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu affirmed his country’s unwavering stance toward the Palestinian issue in accordance with UN resolutions and international law, and within the unified EU position which was announced recently by the European Union High Representative Josep Borrell.
Aurescu stressed in a telephone call with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Malki the need to return to negotiations that are based on UN resolutions, and his rejection to any unilateral measures.
Basma Qaddour