India is among the countries that have criticised Israel for its unilateral measures on theWest Bank. Ahead of the US PresidentDonald Trump-led Board of Peace gathering, the members of the United Nations Security Council called for the Gaza ceasefire deal to become permanent and blasted Israeli efforts to expand control in the West Bank as a threat to the prospects of a two-state solution.
"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. We underline in this regard our strong opposition to any form of annexation," the statement read.
The Security Council meeting came a day after nearly all of its 15 members — minus the United States — and dozens of other diplomats joined Palestinian ambassador Mansour as he read a statement on behalf of more than 80 countries and several organisations condemning Israel’s latest actions in the West Bank, demanding an immediate reversal and underlining “strong opposition to any form of annexation.”
The high-level UN session in New York was originally scheduled for Thursday, but was preponed after Trump announced the Board of Peace meeting on the same day. It was believed that two events on same day would complicate travel plans for diplomats planning to attend both.
Earlier this week, Israel's cabinet had approved measures to tighten its control on the West Bank, and make it easier for settlers to buy land, with the cabinet voting in favour of beginning a process of land registration for the first time since 1967.
Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz said land registration was a vital security measure while the cabinet said in a statement it was an "appropriate response to illegal land registration processes promoted by the Palestinian Authority." The foreign ministry said the measure would promote transparency and help resolve land disputes.
The Palestinian presidency condemned the step, saying it constitutes "a de-facto annexation of occupied Palestinian territory and a declaration of the commencement of annexation plans aimed at entrenching the occupation through illegal settlement activity."
US President Trump will chair the Board of Peace meeting on Thursday (local time) and will make an announcement regarding the USD 5 billion pledged for Gaza by 20 member states attending the meeting, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said. Leavitt said that the Board of Peace meeting will focus on maintaining security in Gaza amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
The Board of Peace, launched by Trump in Davos in January, was initially designed to oversee Gaza's post-war transition under a broader peace framework. However, over time it has expanded its mandate to promote "global peace".
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Israel on a two-day visit from February 25 to 26. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu first broke news of PM Modi's visit while addressing the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organisations on Sunday.
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