OIC decries Israeli annexation plan in West Bank as ‘serious escalation’

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has warned against the Israeli regime’s controversial plan to annex large parts of the occupied West Bank, saying such a move will mark a “serious escalation” that threatens the so-called peace process on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The looming annexation plan amounts to “an official declaration by Israel of revocation of all its signed agreements a termination of the negotiated solution, a serious escalation of its colonial policies and measures, a flagrant aggression on the historical, legal and political rights of the Palestinian people, and a blatant violation of the principles and standards of international law, the UN Charter and relevant UN resolutions,” the OIC said in a statement released late on Wednesday.

The organization also held the Tel Aviv regime fully responsible for the consequences of its colonial policies in the occupied Palestinian territories, including its annexation plans.

The OIC then called on the UN Security Council, the General Assembly, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) as well as other international organizations and bodies to counter Israel’s expansionist policies, and condemn any party that supports such hostile steps in any way.

Arab League: Israel’s annexation plan amounts to war crime against Palestinians

The Arab League slams the Israeli regime’s plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank as a “war crime.”

It underlined the right of the State of Palestine to exercise sovereignty over all lands that the Israeli regime has occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem al-Quds.

The OIC called on all member states to take necessary political, legal and economic measures against Israel’s plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, and adopt deterrent measures against states, officials and individuals that support such a move in violation of international law and UN resolutions on the issue of Palestine.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was sworn into office for another term on May 17, has set July 1 for the start of cabinet discussions on extending Israeli “sovereignty” over settlements in the West Bank and the Jordan Valley.

In response to Israel’s decision, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared the end of all agreements signed with Israel and the United States on May 19.

Palestine urges Germany to pressure Israel

Separately, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh urged Germany, an ally of Tel Aviv, to pressure the Israeli regime into abandoning its annexation plans.

EU concerned over Israel’s annexation plan in West Bank, German FM says

Mass arrived in Jerusalem al-Quds as the first high-level European visitor to touch down in the occupied territories.

Shtayyeh described his trilateral online meeting with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi as “very important,” stating it “focused on the Israeli annexation plans.”

“We explained our total opposition to annexation because it is a serious threat to the establishment of the Palestinian state, a clear violation of the international law and also a threat to the regional security,” he noted.

The Palestinian side has left the door open to serious and real political negotiations based on international law, Shtayyeh highlighted.

Maas, for his part, reiterated Germany’s rejection of the Israeli annexation plans, saying the move violates international law and harms the so-called two-state solution that Berlin backs.

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