Israel ponders annexation of the West Bank amidst growing momentum for Palestinian statehood recognition
The Palestinians continue to advocate for a future state encompassing the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. As the UN General Assembly approaches, several Western nations, including France, Australia, Canada, Portugal, and the United Kingdom, are moving towards recognizing a Palestinian state.
In a significant development, French President Emmanuel Macron has announced his intention to recognise Palestinian statehood at this month's UN General Assembly, making France the first permanent UN Security Council member to do so. This move follows the 2016 UN Security Council resolution 2334, which declared Israeli settlements in the West Bank as illegal under international law.
Israel captured the West Bank from Jordan during the 1967 war. However, annexing any part of the occupied West Bank would violate multiple UN Security Council resolutions, as the Saudi government has warned. Saudi Arabia has stated that no normalization would take place until Israel commits to a pathway to Palestinian statehood.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has discussed the annexation matter, but no decision has been made yet. The settler leadership, however, is demanding broad annexation moves, not just within settlement blocs or the Jordan Valley, to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.
One of the options being considered for annexation is the Jordan Valley, a strip of land on the eastern edge of the West Bank. The annexation of the Jordan Valley could further undermine the viability of a contiguous Palestinian state.
In response to Palestinian statehood developments, the Israeli government is contemplating other punitive measures, including sanctioning the Palestinian Authority or evacuating the Palestinian village of Khan Al-Ahmar.
Meanwhile, the US has decided to deny visas to Palestinian Authority officials attending this month's UN General Assembly, coordinated with the Israeli government. This decision may prevent Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas from attending the assembly.
As international pressure mounts, Omer Rahamim, CEO of the Yesha Council, has suggested applying Israeli sovereignty as a preemptive move against French recognition of Palestinian statehood. More than 140 nations already recognize a Palestinian state, and the annexation of the West Bank by Israel could lead to further diplomatic isolation.
The situation remains complex and tense, with both sides seeking a resolution that respects their rights and aspirations. The potential annexation of the West Bank and the international recognition of a Palestinian state promise to shape the future of the region for years to come.
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