More than 100 countries, including India, the United Kingdom and Russia, along with international organisations, have condemned Israel’s “unilateral" measures and rejected annexation plans in the occupied West Bank.
The statement was issued by over 100 states and organisations, including Afghanistan, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Vietnam, Yemen, Zimbabwe, the League of Arab States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the European Union, among others.
The joint statement said, “We strongly condemn unilateral Israeli decisions and measures aimed at expanding Israel’s unlawful presence in the West Bank. Such decisions are contrary to Israel’s obligations under international law and must be immediately reversed."
It underlined strong opposition to any form of annexation and rejected all measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character and status of the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem.
The statement said such measures violate international law, undermine efforts for peace and stability, run counter to the Comprehensive Plan and jeopardise the prospect of a peace agreement. It reaffirmed commitment, reflected in the New York Declaration, to take concrete measures in line with international law, relevant UN resolutions and the 19 July 2004 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice.
It also reaffirmed support for a just and lasting peace based on relevant United Nations resolutions, the Madrid terms of reference, including land for peace, and the Arab Peace Initiative. It said ending the Israeli occupation that began in 1967 and implementing the two-State solution, with an independent and sovereign Palestine and Israel living side by side within secure and recognised borders based on the 1967 lines, including Jerusalem, remains the only path to security and stability.
According to AFP, a senior UN official has warned that steps by Israel to tighten control of areas of the West Bank administered by the Palestinian Authority amount to “de facto annexation".
Since last week, Israel has approved a series of initiatives backed by far-right ministers to consolidate control over the West Bank, where Palestinians exercise limited autonomy under past agreements.
UN Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo told the Security Council that the world is witnessing the gradual de facto annexation of the West Bank as unilateral Israeli steps transform the landscape.
She said if implemented, the measures would expand Israeli civil authority in the occupied West Bank, including in sensitive areas such as Hebron. The moves could lead to settlement expansion by removing bureaucratic barriers and easing land purchases and building permits.
Source: World News in news18.com, World Latest News, World News
