EU warns incoming Israeli gov't against West Bank annexation

EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell said the 27-member bloc does not recognize Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank and that the EU will continue to monitor the situation
Associated Press|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
The European Union on Thursday issued a warning against the incoming Israeli government's intention to annex parts of the West Bank, saying that such a move "would constitute a serious violation of international law."

  • Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter

  • The EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said the 27-member bloc does not recognize Israeli sovereignty over the territory and that it will "continue to closely monitor the situation and its broader implications, and will act accordingly."

    2 View gallery
    ארכיון התנחלות עפרה
    ארכיון התנחלות עפרה
    The West Bank settlement of Ofra
    (Photo: EPA)
    Earlier this week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main rival Benny Gantz signed a coalition agreement that includes a clause to advance plans to annex parts of the West Bank, including Israeli settlements, starting on July 1.
    Netanyahu's pro-settler base is eager to move forward with annexation while the friendly administration of President Donald Trump is in office.
    The White House's long-awaited Mideast plan, unveiled earlier this year, envisions leaving parts of the West Bank under permanent Israeli control. The Palestinians have rejected the plan as biased.
    Israel captured the West Bank during the 1967 Six-Day War. Since then, more than 700,000 Israel is have moved into settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Most of the international community considers Israel's West Bank settlements illegal according to international law and an obstacle to a two-state solution to the conflict.
    The Palestinians seek all of the West Bank and East Jerusalem as part of an independent state. Annexation of West Bank settlements would infuriate the Palestinians and Israel's Arab neighbors, and eliminate any lingering hopes of establishing a viable Palestinian state.
    2 View gallery
    פלסטיני מנופף ב דגל פלסטין מול מודיעין עילית
    פלסטיני מנופף ב דגל פלסטין מול מודיעין עילית
    A man waving the Palestinian flag outside the West Bank settlement of Beitar Ilit
    (Photo: Reuters)
    The Netanyahu-Gantz deal stipulates that any Israeli action would need U.S. backing, and must take into account Israel's peace treaties with neighboring Jordan and Egypt.
    Israel's Foreign Ministry responded to the EU with a statement deploring that Borrell "opts to see the relations between Israel and the European Union" solely through the "status of the territories."
    10Comments
    add comment
    The commenter agrees to the privacy policy of Ynet News and agrees not to submit comments that violate the terms of use, including incitement, libel and expressions that exceed the accepted norms of freedom of speech.
    7.
    Mr.
    The EU thinks changing geography will change history. Gaza, Jericho, Golan, Bethlehem, Hebron _talkback_content Jerusalem are historical lands of Israel, with 3,000 year old Hebrew names. Of the 24 states created by Britain 80 years ago, Israel was the only one that existed before. The new Arab states can easily accommodate 100 Million refugees, Israel cannot, she cannot even be seen on a map. The EU support of Int. Law is highly controversial and requires correcting.
    Josephus| 04.25.20
    20
    add comment
    The commenter agrees to the privacy policy of Ynet News and agrees not to submit comments that violate the terms of use, including incitement, libel and expressions that exceed the accepted norms of freedom of speech.
    6.
    AN OPEN LETTER TO MR. J. BORREL, EU FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF.
    Dear Sir, your warning against Israel’s intention to “annex” parts of the West Bank is, as it was for your predecessor Mrs. Mogherini, an easy but dishonest declaration. Your attitude towards Israel remains unaffected because this country, even after more than seventy years of existence, has still no understanding of PR, and remains incapable defending its history and its implication in International Law. I understand that you base de legitimacy of the creation of the state of Israel on the 1947 UNGA Resolution 181, what gives you the opportunity to apply the Fourth Geneva Convention and the French false translation of UNSC Resolution 242 in order to accuse Israel of violating International Law. But you don’t take into account that Resolution 181 wasn’t binding, as are all UNGA Resolution, and more, it was rejected by all the Arab states, so it went off the table. But much worse, Resolution 181 was flagrant violation of the authority of “Res Judicata”, because exactly 25 years earlier the League of Nations voted unanimously by all its 51 members, including your country, Spain, the Mandate for Palestine. This Mandate gave the Jewish people the irrevocable right to settle on the territory between the Mediterranean Sea and at least the Jordan River (at least because Article 25 of the Mandate became obsolete the 14th of May 1948) and last but not least, the Golan Heights to create their independent Jewish state. The Mandate for Palestine remains valid to this day, can’t be rescinded, and is reaffirmed in Article 80 of the UN Charter. If you have any doubts about what I wrote, ask your experts to analyze the necessary documents (1919 Paris Peace Conference, the 1920 San Remo Conference, the League’s A Class Mandates, and the 1922 Mandate for Palestine) to confirm the content of this open letter, and help you, Dear Sir, to have a different look about the present matter.
    FO| 04.24.20
    181
    add comment
    The commenter agrees to the privacy policy of Ynet News and agrees not to submit comments that violate the terms of use, including incitement, libel and expressions that exceed the accepted norms of freedom of speech.
    5.
    The European "Union" warns.......LOL.
    There is no such thing as European Union. Even now 8 countries voted against this Borrell initiative, who was trying to make it look like coming from the EU. In the middle of the corona crisis the EU has shown their value & power and proven they are in no position to warn or threat anyone!! . Mr. Borrell better start caring more about Spain & Europe where because of the Corona virus citizens are dying like flies, instead of putting his uninvited nose into Israeli policies.
    04.24.20
    100
    add comment
    The commenter agrees to the privacy policy of Ynet News and agrees not to submit comments that violate the terms of use, including incitement, libel and expressions that exceed the accepted norms of freedom of speech.
    Load more talkbacks
    ""