European ambassadors warn Israel against West Bank annexation

[Tek]

Eleven European ambassadors to Israel on Thursday warned Jerusalem of severe consequences if it moves ahead with plans to annex parts of the West Bank as part of a government coalition deal.

The envoys from the UK, Germany, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Belgium, Denmark, Finland and the EU issued a formal objection to the Foreign Ministry against the move, Channel 13 reported.

The ambassadors made the protest during a video conference with the Foreign Ministry’s Europe deputy, Anna Azari.

“We are very concerned about the clause in the coalition agreement that paves the way for annexing parts of the West Bank. The annexation of any part of the West Bank constitutes a clear violation of international law,” the ambassadors said. “Such unilateral steps will harm efforts to renew the peace process and will have grave consequences for regional stability and for Israel’s standing in the international arena.”

The envoys also demanded a freeze on government plans to allow construction in the Givat Hamatos neighborhood in East Jerusalem.

Also on Thursday, the Arab League said that the planned annexation constituted a “new war crime” against the Palestinians during a virtual conference chaired in Cairo.

On Monday, the United States said it was ready to recognize Israel’s annexation of key parts of the West Bank, but said the offer was contingent on an offer of statehood to the Palestinians.

US President Donald Trump in January unveiled a peace plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Rejected by the Palestinians and condemned by much of the international community, the plan gives Israel the green-light to annex Jewish settlements and other strategic territory in the West Bank.

An Israeli coalition government agreement reached last week includes a framework for implementing the annexations outlined in the plan, starting in July.

11 European ambassadors warn Israel against West Bank annexation

Envoys from UK, France, Germany, other states say move would violate international law, harm regional stability, Israel's international standing

www.timesofisrael.com

His so-called Middle East plan would let Israel annex Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank - which the rest of the world considers illegal - and impose sovereignty all the way to Jordan.

The Palestinians would be granted a sovereign but demilitarised entity along with promises of major investment. The Palestinian state's capital would be on the outskirts of Jerusalem, the holy city that would remain fully under Israeli sovereignty.

US to recognise annexation of occupied West Bank, Jordan Valley

Palestinians reject application of Israeli law on occupied WB areas, saying it will shut the door on two-state solution.

www.aljazeera.com