[ad_1]
United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday that it was Israel’s decision to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, and that the United States will offer its views on this to the new Israeli government in private.
“As for the annexation of the West Bank, the Israelis will finally make those decisions,” Pompeo told reporters. “That is an Israeli decision. And we will work closely with them to share with them our views on this in [a] private setting. “
Plus:
Pompeo also said he was “happy” that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and centrist rival Benny Gantz signed an agreement on Monday to form an emergency coalition government, saying he did not believe that a fourth Israeli election was in Israel’s interest. .
According to the joint statement, the coalition will serve as an “emergency government” for the first six months. During that time, laws that have nothing to do with the coronavirus will not be introduced.
However, an exception is Israel’s intention, in accordance with United States President Donald Trump’s Middle East plan to annex the Jordan Valley and illegal Jewish settlements and other territories in the occupied West Bank, actions that would challenge international law.
Netanyahu could present these plans for approval starting in July, according to the statement.
Palestinians have condemned the formation of a new Israeli “annexation government”, saying the deal would destroy hopes for peace.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said in statements issued on Wednesday that his administration would consider agreements with Israel and the United States “to be canceled entirely” if Israel annexes land in the occupied West Bank.
“We have informed relevant international parties, including the US and Israeli governments, that we will not be handcuffed if Israel announces the annexation of any part of our land,” Abbas said on Palestine TV.
Israeli forces stand guard as Palestinian protesters gather during a protest against Israeli settlements in the city of Beita, near Nablus in the occupied West Bank [File: Mohamad Torokman/Reuters]
Hanan Ashrawi, a senior official with the Palestine Liberation Organization, said earlier this week that “very serious and challenging days” are expected, given Trump’s close relationship with Netanyahu.
“This is extremely dangerous not only for Palestine, for Israel, for the region, but for the world,” said Ashrawi.
According to several resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, the most recent in 2016, Israeli settlements are illegal under international law, as they violate the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits an occupying power from transferring its population to the area that occupies.
The Trump government has repeatedly sided with Israel and opposed the positions taken by the Palestinians and the Arab states, including recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moving the United States embassy there .
Last year, the United States government said it would no longer comply with the 1978 State Department legal opinion that the settlements were “inconsistent with international law.”
SOURCE:
Al Jazeera and news agencies
[ad_2]
