26 apr 2020
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that he is "confident" Israel will apply its sovereignty over Jewish settlements in the West Bank and the Jordan Valley in "a few months from now."
“For decades I have been fighting those who sought to deny the millennial connection of the Jewish people to our homeland. I’m proud to say that the decades-long struggle has borne fruit. Three months ago, the Trump peace plan recognized Israel’s rights in all of Judea and Samaria [the West Bank].
And President Trump pledged to recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Jewish communities there and in the Jordan Valley,” Netanyahu was quoted by the Times of Israel as saying in a recorded speech broadcast on a Christian Evangelical event marking the 100th anniversary of the San Remo conference.
“A couple of months from now, I’m confident that that pledge will be honored. That we will be able to celebrate another historic moment in the history of Zionism. A century after San Remo, the promise of Zionism is being realized,” Netanyahu said.
The San Remo conference was an international meeting of the post-World War I Allied Supreme Council held in April 1920. In the San Remo Resolution, the superpowers recognize the right of the Jewish people to renew their national home in Israel following the Balfour Declaration of 1927.
The resolution was adopted by the United Nations upon its establishment in 1945 and is still valid according to international law.
According to the government deal between the Likud and Blue & White, Netanyahu will be able to bring the agreement reached with the Trump administration over the application of Israeli sovereignty in West Bank and Jordan Valley territories for the approval of the Security Cabinet and Knesset fro July 1.
In addition, “the law will be passed as quickly as possible… and will not be disrupted or delayed by the chairmen of either the House or the Foreign Affairs and Defense committees.”
Gantz managed to add a clause into the deal stating that the prime minister and the deputy prime minister must act in concert with the United States, including on the issue of drawing new roadmaps, and while consulting the international opinion on the issue.
All this while striving to safeguard the security and strategic interests of the State of Israel, including the need to maintain regional stability, preserve peace agreements, and strive for future peace agreements.
With this clause, Gantz wished to ensure that Netanyahu will not be able to take any far-reaching steps that may put a strain on Israel's relations with Jordan, potentially leading to a full diplomatic crisis and the abolition of the peace agreement between the two countries.
Netanyahu's efforts to apply sovereignty over the Jordan Valley and settlements in the West Bank even before the elections failed because of the White House's opposition to annexation before a joint committee would come to an agreement on the roadmaps to ensure Israel would not appropriate any of the future Palestinian state's territories.
The joint committee has already begun mapping work but was forced to stop due to the coronavirus outbreak.
“For decades I have been fighting those who sought to deny the millennial connection of the Jewish people to our homeland. I’m proud to say that the decades-long struggle has borne fruit. Three months ago, the Trump peace plan recognized Israel’s rights in all of Judea and Samaria [the West Bank].
And President Trump pledged to recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Jewish communities there and in the Jordan Valley,” Netanyahu was quoted by the Times of Israel as saying in a recorded speech broadcast on a Christian Evangelical event marking the 100th anniversary of the San Remo conference.
“A couple of months from now, I’m confident that that pledge will be honored. That we will be able to celebrate another historic moment in the history of Zionism. A century after San Remo, the promise of Zionism is being realized,” Netanyahu said.
The San Remo conference was an international meeting of the post-World War I Allied Supreme Council held in April 1920. In the San Remo Resolution, the superpowers recognize the right of the Jewish people to renew their national home in Israel following the Balfour Declaration of 1927.
The resolution was adopted by the United Nations upon its establishment in 1945 and is still valid according to international law.
According to the government deal between the Likud and Blue & White, Netanyahu will be able to bring the agreement reached with the Trump administration over the application of Israeli sovereignty in West Bank and Jordan Valley territories for the approval of the Security Cabinet and Knesset fro July 1.
In addition, “the law will be passed as quickly as possible… and will not be disrupted or delayed by the chairmen of either the House or the Foreign Affairs and Defense committees.”
Gantz managed to add a clause into the deal stating that the prime minister and the deputy prime minister must act in concert with the United States, including on the issue of drawing new roadmaps, and while consulting the international opinion on the issue.
All this while striving to safeguard the security and strategic interests of the State of Israel, including the need to maintain regional stability, preserve peace agreements, and strive for future peace agreements.
With this clause, Gantz wished to ensure that Netanyahu will not be able to take any far-reaching steps that may put a strain on Israel's relations with Jordan, potentially leading to a full diplomatic crisis and the abolition of the peace agreement between the two countries.
Netanyahu's efforts to apply sovereignty over the Jordan Valley and settlements in the West Bank even before the elections failed because of the White House's opposition to annexation before a joint committee would come to an agreement on the roadmaps to ensure Israel would not appropriate any of the future Palestinian state's territories.
The joint committee has already begun mapping work but was forced to stop due to the coronavirus outbreak.
23 apr 2020
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Riyad al-Maliki, said today that the State of Palestine is going to prosecute Israel at international courts in the event it goes ahead with its plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank.
Al-Maliki said during a meeting with the European Union's Representative to Palestine, Sven Cohan von Burgsdorf, that the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's recent statement – in which he said that it was Israel's decision whether to annex parts of the occupied West Bank – was a proof of the US's "complicity" in this Israeli colonial expansionist project.
He called on the European Union to pressure the Israeli government to halt its annexation plans and to take practical steps and measures to prevent this from happening, as well as take punitive measures in the event of implementation.
Earlier today, the EU reaffirmed its position on the status of the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel, saying that any annexation would constitute a serious violation of international law.
"The European Union's position on the status of the territories occupied by Israel in 1967 remains unchanged," the EU said in a statement. "In line with international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, including resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), the European Union does not recognize Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank."
"The European Union reiterates that any annexation would constitute a serious violation of international law. The European Union will continue to closely monitor the situation and its broader implications, and will act accordingly."
Al-Maliki said during a meeting with the European Union's Representative to Palestine, Sven Cohan von Burgsdorf, that the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's recent statement – in which he said that it was Israel's decision whether to annex parts of the occupied West Bank – was a proof of the US's "complicity" in this Israeli colonial expansionist project.
He called on the European Union to pressure the Israeli government to halt its annexation plans and to take practical steps and measures to prevent this from happening, as well as take punitive measures in the event of implementation.
Earlier today, the EU reaffirmed its position on the status of the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel, saying that any annexation would constitute a serious violation of international law.
"The European Union's position on the status of the territories occupied by Israel in 1967 remains unchanged," the EU said in a statement. "In line with international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, including resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), the European Union does not recognize Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank."
"The European Union reiterates that any annexation would constitute a serious violation of international law. The European Union will continue to closely monitor the situation and its broader implications, and will act accordingly."
22 apr 2020
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates today announced that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s remarks on Israel’s move to annex parts of the occupied Palestinian territories reaffirm the extent of the US complicity in the expansionist Israeli settler-colonialism.
The ministry condemned Pompeo’s statements that it was Israel’s decision whether to annex parts of the occupied West Bank and the US will offer its views on this to the new Israeli government in private.
Pompeo’s remarks “reaffirm the extent of the extent of the United States’ complicity in the expansionist Israeli settler-colonialist project in the occupied Palestinian territories and participation in this rancid cooking –in reference to the Israeli annexation scheme- which completely contradicts international legitimacy and its decisions, and aggressively violates international law,” said the ministry.
The Ministry added that Pompeo's statements are deemed “a furtherance of the US undermining of the pillars of the international system and disregard for international peace references, particularly the land for peace the two-state solution principles.”
“Despite Pompeo's attempt to reduce the aggressiveness of his position when he indicated that the US will offer its views on this to Israel in private, this manipulation will not disguise the fact that the US is completely biased towards Israel, and the so-called deal of the Century is a proof of this,” it added.
The Ministry concluded that Pompeo’s remarks “fall within the scope of the US administration’s attempt to replace the peace and negotiations approach with the policy of blackmail and diktats, which should provoke the United Nations, the international community, and countries that claim keenness to achieve peace on the basis of a two-state solution.
The ministry condemned Pompeo’s statements that it was Israel’s decision whether to annex parts of the occupied West Bank and the US will offer its views on this to the new Israeli government in private.
Pompeo’s remarks “reaffirm the extent of the extent of the United States’ complicity in the expansionist Israeli settler-colonialist project in the occupied Palestinian territories and participation in this rancid cooking –in reference to the Israeli annexation scheme- which completely contradicts international legitimacy and its decisions, and aggressively violates international law,” said the ministry.
The Ministry added that Pompeo's statements are deemed “a furtherance of the US undermining of the pillars of the international system and disregard for international peace references, particularly the land for peace the two-state solution principles.”
“Despite Pompeo's attempt to reduce the aggressiveness of his position when he indicated that the US will offer its views on this to Israel in private, this manipulation will not disguise the fact that the US is completely biased towards Israel, and the so-called deal of the Century is a proof of this,” it added.
The Ministry concluded that Pompeo’s remarks “fall within the scope of the US administration’s attempt to replace the peace and negotiations approach with the policy of blackmail and diktats, which should provoke the United Nations, the international community, and countries that claim keenness to achieve peace on the basis of a two-state solution.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday it was an Israeli decision whether to annex parts of the 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 ultimately make those decisions," Pompeo told a press conference. "That's an Israeli decision. And we will work closely with them to share with them our views of this in (a) private setting."
Pompeo also said he was happy Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and centrist rival Benny Gantz signed a deal on Monday to form a national emergency government, saying he did not think a fourth consecutive election was in Israel's interest.
The coalition agreement states that while the new government will strive for peace and regional stability, plans to extend Israeli sovereignty to Jewish settlements in the West Bank could be promoted.
The move would mean a de-facto annexation of territory that Israel seized in the Six-Day War in 1967 and that is presently under Israeli military control. It would have to be greenlighted by the United States, after which Netanyahu would be permitted to advance plans from July 1, the agreement says.
The Palestinians and many countries consider settlements to be illegal under the Geneva Conventions that bar settling on land captured in war. Israel disputes this, citing security needs and biblical, historical, and political connections to the land.
Last January, U.S. President Donald Trump presented a peace plan proposal, cited as "The Deal of the Century", at the White House in the presence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue & White Chairman Benny Gantz.
Netanyahu's surroundings claimed annexation was closer than ever. However, such a move is yet to be approved by the government since, and U.S. officials have made it clear that they will oppose its execution before a new Israeli government is formed.
After the presentation of the peace plan, Netanyahu said in a government briefing that the annexation of West Bank territories will be carried out in two steps, but a few hours later, the program's architect - senior advisor to President Trump Jared Kushner - said he did not believe the move would take place anytime soon.
When asked whether the U.S. government supports the annexation plan, Kushner replied that the only agreement with Israel was on the establishment of a committee that will put together an orderly roadmap.
Pompeo also said Iran needs to be held accountable for the successful launch by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps of the country's first military satellite into orbit.
"I think Iran needs to be held accountable for what they've done. They have now had a military organization that the United States has designated a terrorist attempt to launch a satellite," Pompeo said.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said in remarks aired on Wednesday that his administration would regard agreements with Israel and the United States "completely canceled" if Israel annexes land in the West Bank.
"We have informed the relevant international parties, including the American and the Israeli governments, that we will not stand hand-cuffed if Israel announces the annexation of any part of our land," Abbas said on Palestine TV.
"As for the annexation of the West Bank, the Israelis will ultimately make those decisions," Pompeo told a press conference. "That's an Israeli decision. And we will work closely with them to share with them our views of this in (a) private setting."
Pompeo also said he was happy Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and centrist rival Benny Gantz signed a deal on Monday to form a national emergency government, saying he did not think a fourth consecutive election was in Israel's interest.
The coalition agreement states that while the new government will strive for peace and regional stability, plans to extend Israeli sovereignty to Jewish settlements in the West Bank could be promoted.
The move would mean a de-facto annexation of territory that Israel seized in the Six-Day War in 1967 and that is presently under Israeli military control. It would have to be greenlighted by the United States, after which Netanyahu would be permitted to advance plans from July 1, the agreement says.
The Palestinians and many countries consider settlements to be illegal under the Geneva Conventions that bar settling on land captured in war. Israel disputes this, citing security needs and biblical, historical, and political connections to the land.
Last January, U.S. President Donald Trump presented a peace plan proposal, cited as "The Deal of the Century", at the White House in the presence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue & White Chairman Benny Gantz.
Netanyahu's surroundings claimed annexation was closer than ever. However, such a move is yet to be approved by the government since, and U.S. officials have made it clear that they will oppose its execution before a new Israeli government is formed.
After the presentation of the peace plan, Netanyahu said in a government briefing that the annexation of West Bank territories will be carried out in two steps, but a few hours later, the program's architect - senior advisor to President Trump Jared Kushner - said he did not believe the move would take place anytime soon.
When asked whether the U.S. government supports the annexation plan, Kushner replied that the only agreement with Israel was on the establishment of a committee that will put together an orderly roadmap.
Pompeo also said Iran needs to be held accountable for the successful launch by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps of the country's first military satellite into orbit.
"I think Iran needs to be held accountable for what they've done. They have now had a military organization that the United States has designated a terrorist attempt to launch a satellite," Pompeo said.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said in remarks aired on Wednesday that his administration would regard agreements with Israel and the United States "completely canceled" if Israel annexes land in the West Bank.
"We have informed the relevant international parties, including the American and the Israeli governments, that we will not stand hand-cuffed if Israel announces the annexation of any part of our land," Abbas said on Palestine TV.
7 apr 2020
Blue/White party
More than 130 American Jewish leaders have joined Israel Policy Forum in telling Benny Gantz, Israel’s Blue/White party leader, and Gabi Ashkenazi, proposed by Gantz to be the next defense minister, to oppose unilateral West Bank annexation strongly supported by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party.
“We write to you as American Jewish communal leaders who are proudly Zionist, unquestionably pro-Israel, and who have devoted our lives to supporting the State of Israel and ensuring an ironclad relationship between Israel and Diaspora Jewry,” said the signatories to the letter addressed to Gantz and Ashkenazi.
“In the midst of this unprecedented health and financial crisis for Israel, we respectfully urge you not to use the need for unity in the face of emergency to create a different crisis for Israel by moving forward on unilateral annexation,” they added.
As they strive to put together a unity government after three failed elections in one year and months of deadlock, Netanyahu and his rival Gantz seem to have reached an agreement to annex parts of the West Bank that include the Jordan Valley, the northern Dead Sea and the illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, according to the Israeli media.
This step is seen as part of the so-called deal of the century plan drawn by US President Donald Trump and his pro-Israel team headed by his son-in-law and senior advisor Jared Kushner. Israel is trying to rush this step in anticipation of Trump’s failure to win a second term in office in the upcoming US elections planned for later this year.
“We have strongly objected to Israel unilaterally annexing West Bank territory and applying sovereignty to Jewish settlements, whether according to the parameters of the Trump plan or any other similar proposal, at any point in time,” said the 130 American Jewish leaders. “To unilaterally move forward with such a plan now would be particularly damaging.
It will call into question the Israeli government’s priorities during a global and national emergency, shine a spotlight on controversial Israeli policies rather than highlight valiant Israeli efforts to develop a coronavirus vaccine, or laudable Israeli cooperation with the Palestinians on health and safety measures, and could create a rupture inside of Congress and in the upcoming presidential campaign during a volatile election season.
It will be viewed as political opportunism by proponents of annexation during the worst possible moment and will make it more challenging for American Jewish leaders as they seek to maintain strong support for Israel and pro-Israel policies at this time.”
The signatories to the letter warned that should annexation be advanced, “American Jews – the majority of whom oppose such a policy – will feel more alienated from Israel as a result.”
They called on Blue/While party to adopt their position on the unilateral annexation plan.
“Just as we expect that our own government focus on the crisis at hand without using the fear and uncertainty felt by Americans to push through harmful and unrelated policies, we ask that the leaders of the Jewish state to which we are all so committed do the same.
“We therefore urge you to remain steadfast in your opposition to unilateral annexation,” they said.
More than 130 American Jewish leaders have joined Israel Policy Forum in telling Benny Gantz, Israel’s Blue/White party leader, and Gabi Ashkenazi, proposed by Gantz to be the next defense minister, to oppose unilateral West Bank annexation strongly supported by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party.
“We write to you as American Jewish communal leaders who are proudly Zionist, unquestionably pro-Israel, and who have devoted our lives to supporting the State of Israel and ensuring an ironclad relationship between Israel and Diaspora Jewry,” said the signatories to the letter addressed to Gantz and Ashkenazi.
“In the midst of this unprecedented health and financial crisis for Israel, we respectfully urge you not to use the need for unity in the face of emergency to create a different crisis for Israel by moving forward on unilateral annexation,” they added.
As they strive to put together a unity government after three failed elections in one year and months of deadlock, Netanyahu and his rival Gantz seem to have reached an agreement to annex parts of the West Bank that include the Jordan Valley, the northern Dead Sea and the illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, according to the Israeli media.
This step is seen as part of the so-called deal of the century plan drawn by US President Donald Trump and his pro-Israel team headed by his son-in-law and senior advisor Jared Kushner. Israel is trying to rush this step in anticipation of Trump’s failure to win a second term in office in the upcoming US elections planned for later this year.
“We have strongly objected to Israel unilaterally annexing West Bank territory and applying sovereignty to Jewish settlements, whether according to the parameters of the Trump plan or any other similar proposal, at any point in time,” said the 130 American Jewish leaders. “To unilaterally move forward with such a plan now would be particularly damaging.
It will call into question the Israeli government’s priorities during a global and national emergency, shine a spotlight on controversial Israeli policies rather than highlight valiant Israeli efforts to develop a coronavirus vaccine, or laudable Israeli cooperation with the Palestinians on health and safety measures, and could create a rupture inside of Congress and in the upcoming presidential campaign during a volatile election season.
It will be viewed as political opportunism by proponents of annexation during the worst possible moment and will make it more challenging for American Jewish leaders as they seek to maintain strong support for Israel and pro-Israel policies at this time.”
The signatories to the letter warned that should annexation be advanced, “American Jews – the majority of whom oppose such a policy – will feel more alienated from Israel as a result.”
They called on Blue/While party to adopt their position on the unilateral annexation plan.
“Just as we expect that our own government focus on the crisis at hand without using the fear and uncertainty felt by Americans to push through harmful and unrelated policies, we ask that the leaders of the Jewish state to which we are all so committed do the same.
“We therefore urge you to remain steadfast in your opposition to unilateral annexation,” they said.