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| Photo: The Palestinian Information Center |
While the world is busy fighting COVID-19 pandemic, and the Palestinian people are commemorating 72 years of Nakbah and suffering under occupation, the Israeli government is taking more serious steps to further their immoral imperialist occupation of Palestinian lands.
The latest development was initiated on April 20th, 2020 when Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party and Benny Gantz’s Blue and White bloc signed an agreement to form an ‘emergency government’ which will allow Israel to approve legislation to annex large parts of the West Bank starting at the beginning of July 2020.
The annexation plan aims at legalizing and directly governing the illegally built Israeli settlements on large parts of Jerusalem and the West Bank, including Jordan Valley, an overall of approximately 42% of the West Bank (constitutes 63% of Area C), which includes 87% of the natural resources of the West Bank, 90% of its forests, and 49% of its roads.
Israeli annexation move arises as another form of colonization, terrorism, and gangsterism of Israel over the Palestinian rights. According to the Fourth Geneva Convention, an occupier may not transfer its population to territory it occupies in order to prevent the colonization of occupied territories.
The annexation of a territory acquired through war is impermissible under international law, as stated in the preamble to UNSC Resolution 242 in 1967, and occasions of such forceful and
unilateral annexation has been roundly condemned by the UN, as Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem in 1980 and the Golan Heights in 1981.
Israeli annexation plan comes in accordance with US President Donald Trump’s proposed ‘Deal of the Century,’ which recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, recognized the Golan Heights as part of Israel, and gave Israel sovereignty over the Jordan Valley while envisaging a demilitarized Palestinian state.
US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman has confirmed that the US administration is ready to recognize Israel’s annexation of the settlements in the West Bank.
Several international communities and governments have rejected the Israeli plan.
Senior officials in the European Union and United Nations warned Israel against the intention to annex parts of the West Bank, as such a move would constitute a serious violation of international law.
Russian officials have also expressed concerns that this plan would undermine the prospects of creating an “independent, viable and territorially contiguous Palestinian state”.
France also urged EU members to threaten Israel with a tough response if it goes ahead with the de facto annexation.
Belgium, Ireland, and Luxembourg officials are also discussing the possibility of punitive economic measures against Israel.
We at the Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia (PCOM), strongly condemn the Israeli annexation plan of the Palestinian occupied territories.
We call all governments, NGOs, and activists to vocally reject this plan and further support the rights of Palestinians over their lands.
We also urge all parties and groups to take serious steps to put sanctions and boycott Israel in all aspects.
We extend the call to the government of Malaysia to issue a strong letter of protest against the Israeli illegal plan and urge the UN, OIC, and ASEAN for an immediate international action to stop the Israeli terrorism against the Palestinians.
Yesterday, PCOM has called for an urgent meeting with its partners and friends to discuss the Israeli plan.
The meeting was attended by the Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF), Humanitarian Care Malaysia (MyCARE), Malaysian Consultative Council for Islamic Organizations (MAPIM), Palestine Centre of Excellence (PACE), and JUST International.
An action plan was outlined which includes initiating communications with official platforms and representatives of related NGOs, celebrities, and activists, media and advocacy, and conduct online awareness activities.
More actions will take place to advocate and demand justice and freedom to the Palestinians.
The suffering of the Palestinians continues, and so, the struggle and resistance against this illegal, terrorist, and colonial Israeli occupation should continue.
PCOM
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