Not only Palestinians but a large part of the international community has spoken against Israel’s unilateral annexation of the ‘occupied’ West Bank, reported Aljazeera.
The “Middle East Plan”, Israel set in line with the US President Donald Trump, aims to settle illegal Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank- including the Jordan Valley.
This action would result in one-third of the West Bank being under illegal settlements.
This comes as a result of The West Bank, including East Jerusalem, being recognized as occupied territory under international law. Therefore, making all Jewish settlements there along with the planned annexation – illegal.
Palestinian officials have responded to the annexation plans by threatening to abolish bilateral agreements with Israel. This would further deteriorate the two-state solution.
As of now, Israel’s loyal allies have come with statements against the annexation.
Namely:
The United Kingdom-
Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, in Israel’s largest selling newspaper wrote, “As a life-long friend, admirer and supporter of Israel, I am fearful that these proposals will fail in their objective of securing Israel’s borders and will be contrary to Israel’s own long-term interests,” Johnson wrote in Yediot Ahronoth.
He further wrote that the “annexation would represent a violation of international law.”
Boris ended his editorial by writing, “I profoundly hope that annexation does not go ahead. If it does, the UK will not recognise any changes to the 1967 lines, except those agreed between both parties.”
France-
Jean-Yves Le Drian, France’s foreign minister, told the country’s parliament that “an annexation decision could not be left without consequences”.
He said that the French Government was “examining different options at a national level and also in coordination with our main European partners”.
Germany-
The German parliament described Israel’s plans as being “in contradiction with international law”.
Germany’s Foreign Minister, Heiko Maas, said the annexation plan threatened the stability of the entire Middle East and that “peace cannot be achieved by unilateral steps”
Australia-
The country warned Israel against “unilateral annexation or change in the status of territory on the West Bank”.
Jordan-
Jordan warned the illegal annexation could result in a “massive conflict” and that the country has not ruled out reviewing its 1994 peace treaty with Israel.
International organizations and committees have also spoken out:
Amnesty International-
Saleh Hijazi, Amnesty International’s deputy Middle East chief said: “International law is crystal clear on this matter annexation is unlawful,” adding if Israel moves forward it “points to the law of the jungle”.
United Nations-
UN Secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, during the biannual Security Council meeting on Israeli-Palestinian conflict called upon Israel to drop plans of further annexing parts of the occupied West Bank.
The Secretary-general stated that such actions would be “most serious violation of international law”, devastating for fresh talks and an eventual two-state solution.
European parliament-
In last few weeks, more than 1,000 European parliamentarians signed a letter strongly opposing Israel’s plans of annexing parts of the occupied West Bank.
The letter warned Israel that unilateral annexation of West Bank territory would be fatal for Israeli-Palestinian peace and “will challenge the most basic norms guiding international relations”.