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Should the Palestinians accept Donald Trump's long-awaited Middle-East peace plan?
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ShahKhan007
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The fact that one side has already agreed to a two state solution with actual borders on a map is a massive step forward. Palestinians have four years to negotiate so hopefully for their people's sake who have suffered for too long the leaders will come to the negotiation table and at the very least give this a chance.
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US President Donald Trump has presented his long-awaited Middle East peace plan, promising to keep Jerusalem as Israel's undivided capital.
He proposed an independent Palestinian state and the recognition of Israeli sovereignty over West Bank settlements.
Standing alongside Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, Mr Trump said his proposals "could be the last opportunity" for Palestinians.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas dismissed the plans as a "conspiracy".
"I say to Trump and Netanyahu: Jerusalem is not for sale, all our rights are not for sale and are not for bargain. And your deal, the conspiracy, will not pass," he said in a televised address from Ramallah in the West Bank.
The blueprint, which aims to solve one of the world's longest-running conflicts, was drafted under the stewardship of President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Thousands of Palestinians protested in the Gaza Strip earlier on Tuesday, while the Israeli military deployed reinforcements in the occupied West Bank.
The joint announcement came as both Mr Trump and Mr Netanyahu faced political challenges at home. Mr Trump is the subject of an impeachment trial in the US Senate while the Israeli PM on Tuesday dropped his bid for immunity on corruption charges. Both men deny any wrongdoing.
David Friedman, the US ambassador to Israel, said that the timing of the announcement was not tied to any political development, adding it had been "fully baked" for some time.
Meanwhile, reports said Mr Netanyahu was planning to press ahead with annexing 30% of the occupied West Bank, with a cabinet vote due on Sunday.
More than 400,000 Israelis live in West Bank settlements. Those settlements are considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this.
Mr Friedman said Israel did "not have to wait at all" to move ahead with annexation.
What are Trump's key proposals?
"Today, Israel takes a big step towards peace," Mr Trump told officials and reporters at the White House.
"My vision presents a win-win opportunity for both sides, a realistic two-state solution that resolves the risk of Palestinian statehood to Israel's security."
His proposals are:
The US will recognise Israeli sovereignty over territory that Mr Trump's plan envisages being part of Israel. The plan includes a conceptual map that Mr Trump says illustrates the territorial compromises that Israel is willing to make
The map will "more than double the Palestinian territory and provide a Palestinian capital in eastern Jerusalem", where Mr Trump says the US would open an embassy. The Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) said Mr Trump's plan would give Palestinians control over 15% of what it called "historic Palestine".
Jerusalem "will remain Israel's undivided capital". Both Israel and the Palestinians hold competing claims to the holy city. The Palestinians insist that East Jerusalem, which Israel occupied in the 1967 Middle East war, be the capital of their future state.
An opportunity for Palestinians to "achieve an independent state of their very own" - however, he gave few details.
"No Palestinians or Israelis will be uprooted from their homes" - suggesting that existing Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank will remain.
Israel will work with the king of Jordan to ensure that the status quo governing the key holy site in Jerusalem known to Jews as the Temple Mount and al-Haram al-Sharif to Muslims is preserved. Jordan runs the religious trust that administers the site.
Territory allocated to Palestinians in Mr Trump's map "will remain open and undeveloped for a period of four years". During that time, Palestinians can study the deal, negotiate with Israel, and "achieve the criteria for statehood".
"Palestinians are in poverty and violence, exploited by those seeking to use them as pawns to advance terrorism and extremism. They deserve a far better life," Mr Trump said.
He also indicated that the West Bank would not be cut in half under the plan.
"We will also work to create a contiguous territory within the future Palestinian state, for when the conditions for statehood are met, including the firm rejection of terrorism," he said.
Israeli officials said Mr Netanyahu would fly to Moscow on Wednesday to discuss the proposals with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
A plan that overturns Palestinian aspirations
Until now all of the most difficult aspects of an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal - the so-called final status issues - like borders; the future of Israeli settlements in the West Bank; the long-term status of Jerusalem; and the fate of Palestinian refugees, were to be left for face-to-face talks between the Israelis and Palestinians themselves.
Not any longer. The deal proposed by President Trump and enthusiastically endorsed by Prime Minister Netanyahu essentially frames all of these issues in Israel's favour.
The Palestinians were not just absent from this meeting - they have boycotted the Trump administration ever since it unilaterally moved its embassy to Jerusalem. But they have essentially been presented with an ultimatum - accept the Trump parameters or else, and they have been given some four years to come around.
While President Trump is offering the Palestinians a state it would be a much truncated one. No Jewish settlers will be uprooted and Israeli sovereignty will apparently be extended to the settlement blocs and the Jordan Valley. The Palestinians might have a capital in the East Jerusalem suburbs. This "take it or leave it offer" will appal many long-standing students of the region. The question now is not so much what benefit this deal might bring but how much damage it may do by over-turning Palestinian aspirations.
What reaction has there been?
In his address, President Abbas said it was "impossible for any Palestinian, Arab, Muslim or Christian child to accept" a Palestinian state without Jerusalem as its capital.
"We say a thousand times, no, no, no," he said. "We rejected this deal from the start and our stance was correct."
The militant Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, also rejected the deal which it said aimed "to liquidate the Palestinian national project".
The UN said it remained committed to a two-state solution based on the borders in place before the 1967 war, when Israel seized the West Bank and Gaza.
A spokesman for Secretary General António Guterres said the UN wanted a peace deal on the basis of UN resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements.
Israeli human rights group B'Tselem said the proposals envisaged a form of apartheid.
It said Palestinians would be relegated "to small, enclosed, isolated enclaves, with no control over their lives".
Palestinian protesters carried pictures of Mahmoud Abbas through the streets of Ramallah on Tuesday
Israel's Peace Now organisation said the plan was "as detached from reality as it is eye-catching".
"The plan's green light for Israel to annex the settlements in exchange for a perforated Palestinian state is unviable and would not bring stability," it said.
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab urged the Palestinians to give the plans "genuine and fair consideration and explore whether they might prove a first step on the road back to negotiations".
What's the background?
The Palestinians broke off contacts with the Trump administration in December 2017, after Mr Trump decided to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move the US embassy to the city from Tel Aviv.
Since then, the US has ended both bilateral aid for Palestinians and contributions for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
And in November, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the US had abandoned its four-decades-old position that Jewish settlements in the West Bank were inconsistent with international law.
The Arab League will convene an urgent meeting on Saturday.
Of all the conflicts in the Middle East, that between Israel and the Palestinians has been the most intractable. Although the two sides signed a breakthrough peace accord in 1993, more than a quarter of a century on the two sides are arguably as far apart as ever.
Jerusalem: Both Israel and the Palestinians hold competing claims to the city. Israel, which occupied the formerly Jordanian-held eastern part in 1967, regards the whole of Jerusalem as its capital. The Palestinians insist on East Jerusalem - home to about 350,000 of their community - as the capital of a hoped-for independent state.
Palestinian statehood: The Palestinians want an independent state of their own, comprising the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. Israeli prime ministers have publicly accepted the notion of a Palestinian state alongside Israel but not what form it should take. Benjamin Netanyahu has said any Palestinian state should be demilitarised with the powers to govern itself but not to threaten Israel.
Recognition: Israel insists that any peace deal must include Palestinian recognition of it as the "nation-state of the Jewish people", arguing that without this Palestinians will continue to press their own national claims to the land, causing the conflict to endure. The Palestinians says what Israel calls itself is its own business, but to recognise it as the Jewish state will discriminate against Israel's Arab population of Palestinian origin, who are Muslims, Christians and Druze.
Borders: Both sides have fundamentally different ideas as to where the boundaries of a potential Palestinian state should be. The Palestinians insist on borders based on ceasefire lines which separated Israel and East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza between 1949 and 1967. Israel says those lines are militarily indefensible and were never intended to be permanent. It has not said where borders should be, other than making clear its own eastern border should be along the Jordan River.
Settlements: Since 1967, Israel has built about 140 settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, as well as 121 outposts - settlements built without the government's authorisation. They have become home to some 600,000 Israeli Jews. Settlements are considered illegal by most of the international community, though Israel disputes this. Palestinians say all settlements must be removed for a Palestinian state to be viable. Mr Netanyahu has vowed not only to never to uproot any settlements but to bring them under Israeli sovereignty.
Refugees: The UN says its agencies support about 5.5 million Palestinian refugees in the Middle East (the Palestinian Authority says there are up to 6 million), including the descendants of people who fled or were expelled by Jewish forces from what became Israel in the 1948-49 war. Palestinians insist on their right to return to their former homes, but Israel says they are not entitled to, noting that such a move would overwhelm it demographically and lead to its end as a Jewish state.
100 years of Israeli-Palestinian conflict: Key moments*
Nov 2019: Trump administration says it no longer considers Israeli settlements in occupied territory as inconsistent with international law, putting the US at odds with most of international community
Dec 2017: Donald Trump announces US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital - Palestinians cut off relations with Trump administration
April 2014: Last round of direct Israel-Palestinian peace talks collapse amid acrimony
Sept 2000- Feb 2005: Second Palestinian uprising
Sept 1993: Israel-Palestinians sign Oslo peace accords, agreeing framework for eventual peace deal; 20 years of on-off peace talks - and violence - follow
Dec 1987-Sept 1993: First Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation
June 1967: Middle East war - Israel occupies East Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza Strip; years of hostility and bloodshed follow; UN Security Council Resolution 242 calls on Israel to withdraw from "territories occupied in recent conflict" and recognises the right of "every state in the area to live in peace within secure and recognised boundaries"
May 1948: British Mandate for Palestine terminates; Israeli statehood declared, Arab countries invade, conflict creates 700,000 Palestinian refugees; 800,000 Jews expelled or flee from Arab countries in wake
Nov 1947: UN recommends partitioning Mandate Palestine into Jewish and Arab states - Jewish leadership in Palestine accept, Arab leadership reject; violence between two sides escalates
July 1922: League of Nations entrusts Britain as Mandatory power to put terms of Balfour Declaration into effect
Dec 1917: British forces conquer and occupy Palestine; in years that follow, violence between Jews and Arabs increases
Nov 1917: Britain (fighting Ottoman Empire in WWI) issues "Balfour Declaration" expressing support for Jewish "national home" in Palestine on condition that the rights of non-Jewish communities there are not prejudiced
Pre-1917: Turkish Ottoman Empire rules over Jewish and Arab communities in geographical area referred to as Palestine, the Holy Land or (by Jews) the Land of Israel
* entries are selective and abridged
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51288218
He proposed an independent Palestinian state and the recognition of Israeli sovereignty over West Bank settlements.
Standing alongside Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, Mr Trump said his proposals "could be the last opportunity" for Palestinians.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas dismissed the plans as a "conspiracy".
"I say to Trump and Netanyahu: Jerusalem is not for sale, all our rights are not for sale and are not for bargain. And your deal, the conspiracy, will not pass," he said in a televised address from Ramallah in the West Bank.
The blueprint, which aims to solve one of the world's longest-running conflicts, was drafted under the stewardship of President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Thousands of Palestinians protested in the Gaza Strip earlier on Tuesday, while the Israeli military deployed reinforcements in the occupied West Bank.
The joint announcement came as both Mr Trump and Mr Netanyahu faced political challenges at home. Mr Trump is the subject of an impeachment trial in the US Senate while the Israeli PM on Tuesday dropped his bid for immunity on corruption charges. Both men deny any wrongdoing.
David Friedman, the US ambassador to Israel, said that the timing of the announcement was not tied to any political development, adding it had been "fully baked" for some time.
Meanwhile, reports said Mr Netanyahu was planning to press ahead with annexing 30% of the occupied West Bank, with a cabinet vote due on Sunday.
More than 400,000 Israelis live in West Bank settlements. Those settlements are considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this.
Mr Friedman said Israel did "not have to wait at all" to move ahead with annexation.
What are Trump's key proposals?
"Today, Israel takes a big step towards peace," Mr Trump told officials and reporters at the White House.
"My vision presents a win-win opportunity for both sides, a realistic two-state solution that resolves the risk of Palestinian statehood to Israel's security."
His proposals are:
The US will recognise Israeli sovereignty over territory that Mr Trump's plan envisages being part of Israel. The plan includes a conceptual map that Mr Trump says illustrates the territorial compromises that Israel is willing to make
The map will "more than double the Palestinian territory and provide a Palestinian capital in eastern Jerusalem", where Mr Trump says the US would open an embassy. The Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) said Mr Trump's plan would give Palestinians control over 15% of what it called "historic Palestine".
Jerusalem "will remain Israel's undivided capital". Both Israel and the Palestinians hold competing claims to the holy city. The Palestinians insist that East Jerusalem, which Israel occupied in the 1967 Middle East war, be the capital of their future state.
An opportunity for Palestinians to "achieve an independent state of their very own" - however, he gave few details.
"No Palestinians or Israelis will be uprooted from their homes" - suggesting that existing Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank will remain.
Israel will work with the king of Jordan to ensure that the status quo governing the key holy site in Jerusalem known to Jews as the Temple Mount and al-Haram al-Sharif to Muslims is preserved. Jordan runs the religious trust that administers the site.
Territory allocated to Palestinians in Mr Trump's map "will remain open and undeveloped for a period of four years". During that time, Palestinians can study the deal, negotiate with Israel, and "achieve the criteria for statehood".
"Palestinians are in poverty and violence, exploited by those seeking to use them as pawns to advance terrorism and extremism. They deserve a far better life," Mr Trump said.
He also indicated that the West Bank would not be cut in half under the plan.
"We will also work to create a contiguous territory within the future Palestinian state, for when the conditions for statehood are met, including the firm rejection of terrorism," he said.
Israeli officials said Mr Netanyahu would fly to Moscow on Wednesday to discuss the proposals with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
A plan that overturns Palestinian aspirations
Until now all of the most difficult aspects of an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal - the so-called final status issues - like borders; the future of Israeli settlements in the West Bank; the long-term status of Jerusalem; and the fate of Palestinian refugees, were to be left for face-to-face talks between the Israelis and Palestinians themselves.
Not any longer. The deal proposed by President Trump and enthusiastically endorsed by Prime Minister Netanyahu essentially frames all of these issues in Israel's favour.
The Palestinians were not just absent from this meeting - they have boycotted the Trump administration ever since it unilaterally moved its embassy to Jerusalem. But they have essentially been presented with an ultimatum - accept the Trump parameters or else, and they have been given some four years to come around.
While President Trump is offering the Palestinians a state it would be a much truncated one. No Jewish settlers will be uprooted and Israeli sovereignty will apparently be extended to the settlement blocs and the Jordan Valley. The Palestinians might have a capital in the East Jerusalem suburbs. This "take it or leave it offer" will appal many long-standing students of the region. The question now is not so much what benefit this deal might bring but how much damage it may do by over-turning Palestinian aspirations.
What reaction has there been?
In his address, President Abbas said it was "impossible for any Palestinian, Arab, Muslim or Christian child to accept" a Palestinian state without Jerusalem as its capital.
"We say a thousand times, no, no, no," he said. "We rejected this deal from the start and our stance was correct."
The militant Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, also rejected the deal which it said aimed "to liquidate the Palestinian national project".
The UN said it remained committed to a two-state solution based on the borders in place before the 1967 war, when Israel seized the West Bank and Gaza.
A spokesman for Secretary General António Guterres said the UN wanted a peace deal on the basis of UN resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements.
Israeli human rights group B'Tselem said the proposals envisaged a form of apartheid.
It said Palestinians would be relegated "to small, enclosed, isolated enclaves, with no control over their lives".
Palestinian protesters carried pictures of Mahmoud Abbas through the streets of Ramallah on Tuesday
Israel's Peace Now organisation said the plan was "as detached from reality as it is eye-catching".
"The plan's green light for Israel to annex the settlements in exchange for a perforated Palestinian state is unviable and would not bring stability," it said.
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab urged the Palestinians to give the plans "genuine and fair consideration and explore whether they might prove a first step on the road back to negotiations".
What's the background?
The Palestinians broke off contacts with the Trump administration in December 2017, after Mr Trump decided to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move the US embassy to the city from Tel Aviv.
Since then, the US has ended both bilateral aid for Palestinians and contributions for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
And in November, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the US had abandoned its four-decades-old position that Jewish settlements in the West Bank were inconsistent with international law.
The Arab League will convene an urgent meeting on Saturday.
Of all the conflicts in the Middle East, that between Israel and the Palestinians has been the most intractable. Although the two sides signed a breakthrough peace accord in 1993, more than a quarter of a century on the two sides are arguably as far apart as ever.
Jerusalem: Both Israel and the Palestinians hold competing claims to the city. Israel, which occupied the formerly Jordanian-held eastern part in 1967, regards the whole of Jerusalem as its capital. The Palestinians insist on East Jerusalem - home to about 350,000 of their community - as the capital of a hoped-for independent state.
Palestinian statehood: The Palestinians want an independent state of their own, comprising the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. Israeli prime ministers have publicly accepted the notion of a Palestinian state alongside Israel but not what form it should take. Benjamin Netanyahu has said any Palestinian state should be demilitarised with the powers to govern itself but not to threaten Israel.
Recognition: Israel insists that any peace deal must include Palestinian recognition of it as the "nation-state of the Jewish people", arguing that without this Palestinians will continue to press their own national claims to the land, causing the conflict to endure. The Palestinians says what Israel calls itself is its own business, but to recognise it as the Jewish state will discriminate against Israel's Arab population of Palestinian origin, who are Muslims, Christians and Druze.
Borders: Both sides have fundamentally different ideas as to where the boundaries of a potential Palestinian state should be. The Palestinians insist on borders based on ceasefire lines which separated Israel and East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza between 1949 and 1967. Israel says those lines are militarily indefensible and were never intended to be permanent. It has not said where borders should be, other than making clear its own eastern border should be along the Jordan River.
Settlements: Since 1967, Israel has built about 140 settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, as well as 121 outposts - settlements built without the government's authorisation. They have become home to some 600,000 Israeli Jews. Settlements are considered illegal by most of the international community, though Israel disputes this. Palestinians say all settlements must be removed for a Palestinian state to be viable. Mr Netanyahu has vowed not only to never to uproot any settlements but to bring them under Israeli sovereignty.
Refugees: The UN says its agencies support about 5.5 million Palestinian refugees in the Middle East (the Palestinian Authority says there are up to 6 million), including the descendants of people who fled or were expelled by Jewish forces from what became Israel in the 1948-49 war. Palestinians insist on their right to return to their former homes, but Israel says they are not entitled to, noting that such a move would overwhelm it demographically and lead to its end as a Jewish state.
100 years of Israeli-Palestinian conflict: Key moments*
Nov 2019: Trump administration says it no longer considers Israeli settlements in occupied territory as inconsistent with international law, putting the US at odds with most of international community
Dec 2017: Donald Trump announces US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital - Palestinians cut off relations with Trump administration
April 2014: Last round of direct Israel-Palestinian peace talks collapse amid acrimony
Sept 2000- Feb 2005: Second Palestinian uprising
Sept 1993: Israel-Palestinians sign Oslo peace accords, agreeing framework for eventual peace deal; 20 years of on-off peace talks - and violence - follow
Dec 1987-Sept 1993: First Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation
June 1967: Middle East war - Israel occupies East Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza Strip; years of hostility and bloodshed follow; UN Security Council Resolution 242 calls on Israel to withdraw from "territories occupied in recent conflict" and recognises the right of "every state in the area to live in peace within secure and recognised boundaries"
May 1948: British Mandate for Palestine terminates; Israeli statehood declared, Arab countries invade, conflict creates 700,000 Palestinian refugees; 800,000 Jews expelled or flee from Arab countries in wake
Nov 1947: UN recommends partitioning Mandate Palestine into Jewish and Arab states - Jewish leadership in Palestine accept, Arab leadership reject; violence between two sides escalates
July 1922: League of Nations entrusts Britain as Mandatory power to put terms of Balfour Declaration into effect
Dec 1917: British forces conquer and occupy Palestine; in years that follow, violence between Jews and Arabs increases
Nov 1917: Britain (fighting Ottoman Empire in WWI) issues "Balfour Declaration" expressing support for Jewish "national home" in Palestine on condition that the rights of non-Jewish communities there are not prejudiced
Pre-1917: Turkish Ottoman Empire rules over Jewish and Arab communities in geographical area referred to as Palestine, the Holy Land or (by Jews) the Land of Israel
* entries are selective and abridged
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51288218
Israel agrees with a two state solution? So why are they building illegal settlements in the West Bank?
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add your votrs also please
Pakistanian
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Hail no
Cpt. Rishwat
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Says everything about the sort of peace settlements you will get from Trump.
Pakpak
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Ridiculous plan. How can you have a peace plan with only one side who decided for it? The entire point is it will lead to more annexations in the future.
FreePalestine
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It is not a peace plan. It gives Israel literally everything they want. Gives Palestinians a short injection of money but long term - no control over their waters; no right of return for those who were thrown off their land; trying to offload Israeli Arabs from border towns into future Palestine; no capital in Jerusalem; lose vast swathes of the West Bank. They will basically have limited sovereignty over Gaza and part of a desert. They get nothing. This is deliberate.
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US President Donald Trump promised Palestinians that all Muslims would be able to worship at the “al-Aqua mosque” under his Middle East “deal of the century” peace plan – presumably referring to al-Aqsa.
Trump tripped over the name of the mosque – one of the holiest sites in Islam, positioned squarely on top of a site Israel has long coveted for its own Third Temple – as he revealed the details of his long-awaited peace plan on Tuesday with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.
https://www.rt.com/news/479415-trump-al-aqua-palestinian-deal/
Trump tripped over the name of the mosque – one of the holiest sites in Islam, positioned squarely on top of a site Israel has long coveted for its own Third Temple – as he revealed the details of his long-awaited peace plan on Tuesday with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israel, along with Jordan’s King Abdullah, will “ensure that the status quo of the Temple Mount is preserved, and all Muslims who wish to visit peacefully and pray at the al-Aqua mosque will be able to do so,” Trump pledged.
He proceeded to fumble the name of the US-assassinated Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, adding that “he was with the head of Hezbollah, and I don’t think they were up to anything good” when the leader of the Quds Force was killed in a US airstrike at Baghdad airport.
Despite the blunders, Trump got a standing ovation after mentioning the assassination – significantly more applause than he’d received for promising Palestinians more than double their current territory and $50 billion in investment. The exact location of that territory wasn’t specified, and another promise – that neither Palestinians nor Israelis would be “uprooted from their homes” – suggested it might not be in what is currently considered Palestine.
Trump later said the iconic mosque’s name correctly, reassuring doubters he was in fact talking about al-Aqsa and not a new ‘Trump Palestine’ casino complex yet to be revealed.
He proceeded to fumble the name of the US-assassinated Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, adding that “he was with the head of Hezbollah, and I don’t think they were up to anything good” when the leader of the Quds Force was killed in a US airstrike at Baghdad airport.
Despite the blunders, Trump got a standing ovation after mentioning the assassination – significantly more applause than he’d received for promising Palestinians more than double their current territory and $50 billion in investment. The exact location of that territory wasn’t specified, and another promise – that neither Palestinians nor Israelis would be “uprooted from their homes” – suggested it might not be in what is currently considered Palestine.
Trump later said the iconic mosque’s name correctly, reassuring doubters he was in fact talking about al-Aqsa and not a new ‘Trump Palestine’ casino complex yet to be revealed.
https://www.rt.com/news/479415-trump-al-aqua-palestinian-deal/
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Palestinians have dismissed US President Donald Trump's new Middle East peace plan as a "conspiracy".
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51292865
The plan envisages a Palestinian state and the recognition of Israeli sovereignty over West Bank settlements.
Mr Trump said Jerusalem would remain Israel's "undivided" capital, but the Palestinian capital would "include areas of East Jerusalem".
Reacting to Tuesday's announcement, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Jerusalem was "not for sale".
"All our rights are not for sale and are not for bargain," he added.
Thousands of Palestinian protesters held a "day of rage" in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, while the Israeli military deployed reinforcements in the occupied West Bank.
The blueprint, which aims to solve one of the world's longest-running conflicts, was drafted under the stewardship of President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Standing alongside Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday, Mr Trump said his proposals "could be the last opportunity" for Palestinians.
Reports said Mr Netanyahu was planning to press ahead with annexing 30% of the occupied West Bank, with a cabinet vote due on Sunday.
Israel has settled about 400,000 Jews in West Bank settlements, with another 200,000 living in East Jerusalem. The settlements are considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this.
What did Mr Abbas say?
Speaking on Tuesday, he said it was "impossible for any Palestinian, Arab, Muslim or Christian child to accept" a Palestinian state without Jerusalem as its capital.
"We say a thousand times, no, no, no," he said. "We rejected this deal from the start and our stance was correct."
The militant Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, also rejected the deal which it said aimed "to liquidate the Palestinian national project".
The UN said it remained committed to a two-state solution based on the boundaries in place before the 1967 war, when Israel seized the West Bank and Gaza.
And Mr Netanyahu?
The Israeli prime minister described Mr Trump's plan as the "deal of the century".
Israel "will not miss this opportunity", Mr Netanyahu said.
"May God bless us all with security, prosperity and peace!" he added.
How about international reactions?
A spokesman for UN Secretary General António Guterres called for a peace deal on the basis of UN resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements.
The Arab League said it would hold an urgent meeting on Saturday.
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab urged the Palestinians to give the plans "genuine and fair consideration and explore whether they might prove a first step on the road back to negotiations".
Mr Trump said Jerusalem would remain Israel's "undivided" capital, but the Palestinian capital would "include areas of East Jerusalem".
Reacting to Tuesday's announcement, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Jerusalem was "not for sale".
"All our rights are not for sale and are not for bargain," he added.
Thousands of Palestinian protesters held a "day of rage" in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, while the Israeli military deployed reinforcements in the occupied West Bank.
The blueprint, which aims to solve one of the world's longest-running conflicts, was drafted under the stewardship of President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Standing alongside Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday, Mr Trump said his proposals "could be the last opportunity" for Palestinians.
Reports said Mr Netanyahu was planning to press ahead with annexing 30% of the occupied West Bank, with a cabinet vote due on Sunday.
Israel has settled about 400,000 Jews in West Bank settlements, with another 200,000 living in East Jerusalem. The settlements are considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this.
What did Mr Abbas say?
Speaking on Tuesday, he said it was "impossible for any Palestinian, Arab, Muslim or Christian child to accept" a Palestinian state without Jerusalem as its capital.
"We say a thousand times, no, no, no," he said. "We rejected this deal from the start and our stance was correct."
The militant Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, also rejected the deal which it said aimed "to liquidate the Palestinian national project".
The UN said it remained committed to a two-state solution based on the boundaries in place before the 1967 war, when Israel seized the West Bank and Gaza.
And Mr Netanyahu?
The Israeli prime minister described Mr Trump's plan as the "deal of the century".
Israel "will not miss this opportunity", Mr Netanyahu said.
"May God bless us all with security, prosperity and peace!" he added.
How about international reactions?
A spokesman for UN Secretary General António Guterres called for a peace deal on the basis of UN resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements.
The Arab League said it would hold an urgent meeting on Saturday.
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab urged the Palestinians to give the plans "genuine and fair consideration and explore whether they might prove a first step on the road back to negotiations".
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51292865
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Do they have a choice? Fact is Jerusalem is gone for the Palestinians...
Pakpak
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They would have to give all of Jerusalem, would have no control over what enters their borders, everything would be subject to Israel's control one assumes, they would have no military in essence leaving them open to further attacks from Israel, they would have to lose vast swathes of good land to the illegal settlements, their own land would not be continuous and would be fractured.
It would be them being called a state without the actual norms and powers given to a state and it would basically like it is now. Ie being at the mercy of Israel.
Angrez Pakistani
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No.
GenericBrand
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PLA wasn't even part of the negotiations lol
Savak
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The Saudi Arabian sponsored peace plan of 2002 with Israel returning to their 1967 borders is perfect. Even better is the 1948 UN plan. Jerusalem should be a UN city
sweep_shot
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This is not a good deal for Palestinians. They should stand their ground.
ahmedzee
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Well, Palestinians want to go back to pre-1967 plan. I think it is their right to do so as all those areas were forcefully taken by Israel. So yeah, they should reject this plan. A pre-1967 land plan should end the conflict, with Israel evicting their forces completely from Palestinian lands.
IMMY69
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There is us/Israel law for some and international law for everyone else..
How are they held up as a beacon for democracy?
How are they held up as a beacon for democracy?
KingKhanWC
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Jerusalem has been fought over many times and this will continue.
Israel is a temporary outpost, no different to crusader outposts of the past.
As soon as the western powers weaken esp USA, the holy land will be liberated.
This plan means nothing in reality.
JaDed
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Because of freedom of speech and religion within their own country.
Angrez Pakistani
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Trending meme in Palestinian circles responding to Trump's "plan" <a href="https://t.co/MGRvOOKZp4">pic.twitter.com/MGRvOOKZp4</a></p>— (((YousefMunayyer))) (@YousefMunayyer) <a href="https://twitter.com/YousefMunayyer/status/1222631261782663168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
from_da_lost_dim3nsion
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I say take the deal if it brings safety,prosperity and freedom to the Palestinians . I mean how much longer can they afford to live like this , putting their and their children's lives and futures in danger. Why not take the deal, work hard to rebuild their people and nation and live in peace. The current situation isn't really all that great for them
KingKhanWC
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But it doesn't so why even suggest this?
sweep_shot
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Jerusalem will one day be liberated by Muslims again (God willing). This city has changed hand many times. It is also in Islamic prophecy. Dajjal is supposed to be defeated in Israel.
Palestinians should reject this deal and continue to be patient.
Palestinians should reject this deal and continue to be patient.
KingKhanWC
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They did immediately, Abbas refused to speak to Trump.
However Saudi are backing the plan, puppets will always do as they are told.
IMMY69
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and yet black people were considered second class citizens less then 50 years ago.
By the way by “everyone else”, I didn’t just mean arab or Muslim countries, I literally meant every other nation including European countries
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temporary has lasted 70 years or so.
JaDed
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Yeah but it fixes itself , more than 300 million people, not easy to maintain.. and people assimilate here..
IMMY69
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That’s not entirely true.
I’ve travelled across the states and know how easy it is to end up in a bad part of town....
But that’s not really my point.
There are international laws in place to protect both Palestinian and Israel interests and the US has just made a plan that absolutely contradicts it.
Now you can argue that military and economic might prevails but let’s not call this democracy or justice because if it were legally accepted then the UK, France, Germany etc etc would have shifted they embassy’s...
It’s all a tad hypocritical
KingKhanWC
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The Crusaders held Jerusalem for 88 years before it was liberated.
70 odd years is a long time to be suffering under brutal occupation but taking this deal will not solve this but only make it worse. This deal has been rejected by the Palestinians, they are a brave people.
The balance of power always changes sooner or later. Israel is protected by western nations , once this support weakens Israel will be worried.
The Palestinians should call out the Arab leadership and cause some sort of civil issue within their lands because they are the biggest helpers of Israel. The problem is they fund the leadership who are corrupt.
International law doesn't matter these days and the UN is irrelevant. The days of the Westphalian order is over.
Besides, the US supports 73% of all dictatorships around the world. People who believe that the US is a beacon for peace and democracy are fooling themselves and everyone around them.
Gharib Aadmi
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Palestinans should reject the deal and push for a one man one vote system. Even if they are not a majority their situation will be better than it is now, and the state will have to be binational
The Viper
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Guys please stick to the topic of discussion.
James
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I agree that Palestine should be its own independent sovereign country. But this was a very poor offer. Might as well not have made an offer at all.
Savak
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No nation is strong enough on its own.
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The Palestinian Authority has cut all ties with the US and Israel, including those relating to security, after rejecting a Middle East peace plan presented by Donald Trump, the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, said on Saturday.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/01/palestinians-cut-ties-israel-us-trump-peace-plan
Abbas was in Cairo to address the Arab League, which backed the Palestinians.
The blueprint, endorsed by the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, calls for the creation of a demilitarised Palestinian state that would exclude Jewish settlements built in occupied territory and remain under near-total Israeli security control.
“We’ve informed the Israeli side … that there will be no relations at all with them and the United States including security ties,” Abbas told the one-day emergency meeting in Cairo, which was called to discuss Trump’s plan.
Israeli officials had no immediate comment.
Palestinian control. The Palestinian Authority also has intelligence cooperation agreements with the CIA, which continued even after the Palestinians began boycotting Trump’s peace efforts in 2017.
Abbas said he had refused to discuss the plan by with Trump by phone, or to receive even a copy of it to study it.
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“Trump asked that I speak to him by phone but I said ‘no’, and that he wants to send me a letter … but I refused it,” he said.
Abbas said he did not want Trump to be able to say he had been consulted. He reiterated his “complete” rejection of the Trump plan, presented on Tuesday.
“I will not have it recorded in my history that I sold Jerusalem,” he said.
The blueprint also proposes US recognition of Israeli settlements on occupied West Bank land and of Jerusalem as Israel’s indivisible capital.
The Arab League foreign ministers meeting in Cairo said the plan did not meet the minimum aspirations of Palestinians, and the League would not cooperate with the US in implementing it.
The ministers affirmed Palestinian rights to create a state based on land captured and occupied by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war, with East Jerusalem as capital, the final communique said.
Foreign ministers from Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, three close US allies, as well as Iraq, Lebanon and others, said there could be no peace without recognising Palestinian rights to establish a state within the pre-1967 territories.
After Trump unveiled his plan some Arab powers appeared, despite historic support for the Palestinians, to prioritise close ties with the US and a shared hostility towards Iran over traditional Arab alliances.
Oman, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates attended the White House gathering where Trump announced his plan alongside Netanyahu.
On Tuesday, Netanyahu said he would ask his cabinet this week to approve the application of Israeli law to Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
Such a move could be a first step towards formal annexation of the settlements and the Jordan Valley, territory Israel has kept under military occupation since its capture in 1967.
Most countries consider Israeli settlements on land captured in war to be a violation of international law. Trump has changed US policy to withdraw such objections.
The blueprint, endorsed by the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, calls for the creation of a demilitarised Palestinian state that would exclude Jewish settlements built in occupied territory and remain under near-total Israeli security control.
“We’ve informed the Israeli side … that there will be no relations at all with them and the United States including security ties,” Abbas told the one-day emergency meeting in Cairo, which was called to discuss Trump’s plan.
Israeli officials had no immediate comment.
Palestinian control. The Palestinian Authority also has intelligence cooperation agreements with the CIA, which continued even after the Palestinians began boycotting Trump’s peace efforts in 2017.
Abbas said he had refused to discuss the plan by with Trump by phone, or to receive even a copy of it to study it.
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“Trump asked that I speak to him by phone but I said ‘no’, and that he wants to send me a letter … but I refused it,” he said.
Abbas said he did not want Trump to be able to say he had been consulted. He reiterated his “complete” rejection of the Trump plan, presented on Tuesday.
“I will not have it recorded in my history that I sold Jerusalem,” he said.
The blueprint also proposes US recognition of Israeli settlements on occupied West Bank land and of Jerusalem as Israel’s indivisible capital.
The Arab League foreign ministers meeting in Cairo said the plan did not meet the minimum aspirations of Palestinians, and the League would not cooperate with the US in implementing it.
The ministers affirmed Palestinian rights to create a state based on land captured and occupied by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war, with East Jerusalem as capital, the final communique said.
Foreign ministers from Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, three close US allies, as well as Iraq, Lebanon and others, said there could be no peace without recognising Palestinian rights to establish a state within the pre-1967 territories.
After Trump unveiled his plan some Arab powers appeared, despite historic support for the Palestinians, to prioritise close ties with the US and a shared hostility towards Iran over traditional Arab alliances.
Oman, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates attended the White House gathering where Trump announced his plan alongside Netanyahu.
On Tuesday, Netanyahu said he would ask his cabinet this week to approve the application of Israeli law to Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
Such a move could be a first step towards formal annexation of the settlements and the Jordan Valley, territory Israel has kept under military occupation since its capture in 1967.
Most countries consider Israeli settlements on land captured in war to be a violation of international law. Trump has changed US policy to withdraw such objections.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/01/palestinians-cut-ties-israel-us-trump-peace-plan
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James
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This is going to end well..... 
The part that's being overlooked here is that Trump has okayed the plan for a part of what's a heavily Palestinian area of northern Israel called "The Triangle" to be transferred to a Palestinian state, with Israel annexing settlements in the West Bank in return.
This was proposed initially in 2004 by the far-right leader Avigdor Liberman and Trump has just made this official US policy.
Most Palestinians in the Triangle do not wish to be forcibly transferred to a Palestianian state, and want to remain Israeli citizens.
The Palestinians are truly alone. They have no real allies in the Sunni Arab world, and nothing will change unless a US President that is willing to use their diplomatic and financial leverage against the state of Israel is elected.
That won't be happening in November since most US voters in the Mid West couldn't give a damn about foreign policy, let alone Palestinians in the West Bank who they couldn't even locate on a map.
This was proposed initially in 2004 by the far-right leader Avigdor Liberman and Trump has just made this official US policy.
Most Palestinians in the Triangle do not wish to be forcibly transferred to a Palestianian state, and want to remain Israeli citizens.
The Palestinians are truly alone. They have no real allies in the Sunni Arab world, and nothing will change unless a US President that is willing to use their diplomatic and financial leverage against the state of Israel is elected.
That won't be happening in November since most US voters in the Mid West couldn't give a damn about foreign policy, let alone Palestinians in the West Bank who they couldn't even locate on a map.
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Bewal Express
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The Problem for the Palestinians is that they are poor and cant be buy Politicians through lobbying and direct bribes like the Israelis do with zionist lobbies like AIPAC and Conservative Friends of Israel do. For me they should look to become full citizens of Israel and ask for one voting rights, rather have any shell and worthless state. Use the tactics of the Zionists against them.
Abdullah719
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Pan-Islamic body OIC rejects Trump's Mideast plan
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation on Monday rejected US President Donald Trump's peace plan for the Middle East, calling on its 57 member states not to help implement it.
The pan-Islamic body, which represents more than 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide, "rejects this US-Israeli plan as it does not meet the minimum aspirations and legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and contradicts the terms of reference of the peace process", it said in a statement.
A meeting of foreign ministers at OIC headquarters in the Saudi city of Jeddah called on "all member states not (to) deal with this plan or cooperate with the US administration efforts to enforce it in any way or form".
Under the US plan unveiled last week, Israel would retain control of the disputed city of Jerusalem as its "undivided capital" and annex settlements on Palestinian lands.
Trump said Palestinians would be allowed to declare a capital within annexed east Jerusalem.
The OIC reiterated its support for east Jerusalem as capital of a future Palestinian state, stressing its "Arab and Islamic character".
It said peace would "only be achieved with the end of the Israeli occupation, the full withdrawal from the territory of the State of Palestine in particular the holy city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif (Jerusalem) and the other Arab territories occupied since (the) June 1967 (Middle East war)".
The Arab League on Saturday also rejected the controversial plan, saying at a meeting in Cairo that it did not meet the "minimum rights" of the Palestinians.
They insisted on a two-state solution that includes a Palestinian state based on borders before the 1967 war -- when Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza -- and with east Jerusalem as its capital.
Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas announced in Cairo that he will cut all ties with Israel and the US.
"We are informing you that there will be no relations with you (Israel) and the United States, including on security cooperation," he said.
The Trump plan also gives Israel the green light to annex the strategic Jordan Valley -- making up 30 percent of the West Bank -- and all Jewish settlements, which number more than 200.
https://www.france24.com/en/20200203-pan-islamic-body-oic-rejects-trump-s-mideast-plan
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation on Monday rejected US President Donald Trump's peace plan for the Middle East, calling on its 57 member states not to help implement it.
The pan-Islamic body, which represents more than 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide, "rejects this US-Israeli plan as it does not meet the minimum aspirations and legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and contradicts the terms of reference of the peace process", it said in a statement.
A meeting of foreign ministers at OIC headquarters in the Saudi city of Jeddah called on "all member states not (to) deal with this plan or cooperate with the US administration efforts to enforce it in any way or form".
Under the US plan unveiled last week, Israel would retain control of the disputed city of Jerusalem as its "undivided capital" and annex settlements on Palestinian lands.
Trump said Palestinians would be allowed to declare a capital within annexed east Jerusalem.
The OIC reiterated its support for east Jerusalem as capital of a future Palestinian state, stressing its "Arab and Islamic character".
It said peace would "only be achieved with the end of the Israeli occupation, the full withdrawal from the territory of the State of Palestine in particular the holy city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif (Jerusalem) and the other Arab territories occupied since (the) June 1967 (Middle East war)".
The Arab League on Saturday also rejected the controversial plan, saying at a meeting in Cairo that it did not meet the "minimum rights" of the Palestinians.
They insisted on a two-state solution that includes a Palestinian state based on borders before the 1967 war -- when Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza -- and with east Jerusalem as its capital.
Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas announced in Cairo that he will cut all ties with Israel and the US.
"We are informing you that there will be no relations with you (Israel) and the United States, including on security cooperation," he said.
The Trump plan also gives Israel the green light to annex the strategic Jordan Valley -- making up 30 percent of the West Bank -- and all Jewish settlements, which number more than 200.
https://www.france24.com/en/20200203-pan-islamic-body-oic-rejects-trump-s-mideast-plan
GenericBrand
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A One State solution?
If there is anything Israel hates more than a Two-State solution is a One-State solution. Think about it, Palestinians becoming full fledged citizens with voting rights; non-Jews would end up being a minority in their own country.
Bewal Express
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My thinking exactly. The 2 solution state is dead but the Palestinians must play smart. Play the long game,give the Zionists a taste of their own medicine.
GenericBrand
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My point is that would never happen, Israeli leaders would never approve of such a move.
Bewal Express
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I know they won't, but the Palestinians need to show them up for creating an Apartheid state.
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JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced confidence on Sunday that Washington would give Israel the nod within two months to move ahead with de facto annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank.
Palestinians have expressed outrage at Israel’s plans to cement its hold further on land it seized in the 1967 Middle East war, territory they are seeking for a state.
Netanyahu, in announcing a deal with his centrist rival Benny Gantz last week to form a unity government, set July 1 for the start of cabinet discussions on extending Israeli sovereignty to Jewish settlements in the West Bank and annexing outright the area’s Jordan Valley.
Such a move would need to be agreed with Washington, according to the Netanyahu-Gantz agreement.
In a video address on Sunday to a pro-Israeli Christian group in Europe, Netanyahu described a U.S. peace proposal announced by President Donald Trump in January as a promise to recognise Israel’s authority over West Bank settlement land.
“A couple of months from now I am confident that that pledge will be honoured,” Netanyahu told the European Commission for Israel.
Palestinian officials offered no immediate comment on Netanyahu’s remarks.
Palestinians have flatly rejected the Trump peace proposal, partly because it awards Israel most of what it has sought during decades of conflict, including nearly all the occupied land on which it has built settlements.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday it was up to Israel whether to annex parts of the West Bank and said that Washington would offer its views privately to its new government.
The Palestinians and many countries regard Israel’s settlements in the West Bank as 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.
Source Reuters.
Palestinians have expressed outrage at Israel’s plans to cement its hold further on land it seized in the 1967 Middle East war, territory they are seeking for a state.
Netanyahu, in announcing a deal with his centrist rival Benny Gantz last week to form a unity government, set July 1 for the start of cabinet discussions on extending Israeli sovereignty to Jewish settlements in the West Bank and annexing outright the area’s Jordan Valley.
Such a move would need to be agreed with Washington, according to the Netanyahu-Gantz agreement.
In a video address on Sunday to a pro-Israeli Christian group in Europe, Netanyahu described a U.S. peace proposal announced by President Donald Trump in January as a promise to recognise Israel’s authority over West Bank settlement land.
“A couple of months from now I am confident that that pledge will be honoured,” Netanyahu told the European Commission for Israel.
Palestinian officials offered no immediate comment on Netanyahu’s remarks.
Palestinians have flatly rejected the Trump peace proposal, partly because it awards Israel most of what it has sought during decades of conflict, including nearly all the occupied land on which it has built settlements.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday it was up to Israel whether to annex parts of the West Bank and said that Washington would offer its views privately to its new government.
The Palestinians and many countries regard Israel’s settlements in the West Bank as 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.
Source Reuters.
James
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I feel truly sympathetic towards the Palestinian people. They seem to have zero active allies on the world stage and there is very little help out there for them. It is a huge injustice that they are seemingly not permitted to have a truly sovereign home nation drawn up on fair terms that they can call their own.
The land belonged to the Jews before it was taken from them by the force of arms by the Romans and then by others. They have taken it back by the force of arms. Unfortunately that is how the world works.
sweep_shot
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You have a really faulty logic.
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Pakistanian
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History clearly isn't your strongest subject.
Making claims without any references to contradict what has been said is clearly your strongest subject.
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The United States said it was ready to recognise Israel's annexation of much of the West Bank, but asked the new unity government also to negotiate with the Palestinians.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has reached a power-sharing deal to remain in office after three inconclusive elections, has vowed to press ahead with annexations that the Palestinians say will shut the door on a two-state solution.
A Middle East "vision" unveiled in January by US President Donald Trump gave a green light to annexations. Netanyahu's coalition deal with centrist Benny Gantz agreed the cabinet would consult Washington before moving forward.
But Palestinians have expressed outrage at Israel's plans to cement its hold further on land it seized in the 1967 war, territory they are seeking for a future state. The European Union has also criticised Trump's plan as failing to achieve a two-state solution.
"As we have made consistently clear, we are prepared to recognise Israeli actions to extend Israeli sovereignty and the application of Israeli law to areas of the West Bank that the vision foresees as being part of the State of Israel," a US State Department spokesperson said on Monday.
The step would be "in the context of the Government of Israel agreeing to negotiate with the Palestinians along the lines set forth in President Trump's Vision," she said.
The statement came after Netanyahu said on Monday he was confident the US would give Israel the approval within two months to move ahead with the de facto annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank.
Trump, whose evangelical Christian support base is staunchly pro-Israel, has granted a wish-list to Netanyahu over the past three years.
His so-called Middle East plan would let Israel annex Jewish settlements in the West Bank - which the rest of the world considers illegal - and impose sovereignty all the way to Jordan.
The Palestinians would be granted a sovereign but demilitarised entity along with promises of major investment. The Palestinian state's capital would be on the outskirts of Jerusalem, the holy city that would remain fully under Israeli sovereignty.
The State Department's comments expand on remarks to reporters last week by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who said annexation was ultimately "an Israeli decision".
Condemnation
Palestinians have flatly rejected the Trump proposal, partly because it awards Israel most of what it has sought during decades of conflict, including nearly all the occupied land on which it has built settlements.
The Palestinians have already threatened to cancel existing peace agreements if Netanyahu moves forward with his plan, while the EU foreign policy chief said annexation would be a violation of international law and force the bloc to "act accordingly".
The UN's Middle East envoy said such a step would "ignite" the region.
The Palestinians and much of the international community regard Israel's settlements in the occupied West Bank as 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.
The Arab League plans to hold a virtual meeting this week to discuss the annexation plan, which under the Israeli coalition deal could happen as soon as July.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...-west-bank-jordan-valley-200428080228123.html
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has reached a power-sharing deal to remain in office after three inconclusive elections, has vowed to press ahead with annexations that the Palestinians say will shut the door on a two-state solution.
A Middle East "vision" unveiled in January by US President Donald Trump gave a green light to annexations. Netanyahu's coalition deal with centrist Benny Gantz agreed the cabinet would consult Washington before moving forward.
But Palestinians have expressed outrage at Israel's plans to cement its hold further on land it seized in the 1967 war, territory they are seeking for a future state. The European Union has also criticised Trump's plan as failing to achieve a two-state solution.
"As we have made consistently clear, we are prepared to recognise Israeli actions to extend Israeli sovereignty and the application of Israeli law to areas of the West Bank that the vision foresees as being part of the State of Israel," a US State Department spokesperson said on Monday.
The step would be "in the context of the Government of Israel agreeing to negotiate with the Palestinians along the lines set forth in President Trump's Vision," she said.
The statement came after Netanyahu said on Monday he was confident the US would give Israel the approval within two months to move ahead with the de facto annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank.
Trump, whose evangelical Christian support base is staunchly pro-Israel, has granted a wish-list to Netanyahu over the past three years.
His so-called Middle East plan would let Israel annex Jewish settlements in the West Bank - which the rest of the world considers illegal - and impose sovereignty all the way to Jordan.
The Palestinians would be granted a sovereign but demilitarised entity along with promises of major investment. The Palestinian state's capital would be on the outskirts of Jerusalem, the holy city that would remain fully under Israeli sovereignty.
The State Department's comments expand on remarks to reporters last week by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who said annexation was ultimately "an Israeli decision".
Condemnation
Palestinians have flatly rejected the Trump proposal, partly because it awards Israel most of what it has sought during decades of conflict, including nearly all the occupied land on which it has built settlements.
The Palestinians have already threatened to cancel existing peace agreements if Netanyahu moves forward with his plan, while the EU foreign policy chief said annexation would be a violation of international law and force the bloc to "act accordingly".
The UN's Middle East envoy said such a step would "ignite" the region.
The Palestinians and much of the international community regard Israel's settlements in the occupied West Bank as 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.
The Arab League plans to hold a virtual meeting this week to discuss the annexation plan, which under the Israeli coalition deal could happen as soon as July.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...-west-bank-jordan-valley-200428080228123.html
James
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The annexation plan is dismal.
It will cause war.
It will cause war.
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Foreign Office Spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said that Pakistan has always opposed any move regarding the annexation of the occupied Palestinian territories and supported the two-state solution to the Palestine issue, as per a Radio Pakistan report.
In her weekly press briefing, the FO spokesperson said: “Pakistan always opposed any move for annexation of the occupied Palestinian territories as it would be a serious violation of international law and a dangerous escalation in an already volatile situation".
She also said that Pakistan's persistent support for the two-state solution of the Palestine issue is enshrined in the relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions.
In her news briefing, the FO spokesperson said that the Kashmiri people are constantly facing oppression and acts of terror amid the lockdown and military siege.
Pakistan has strongly condemned extrajudicial killings in fake encounters by Indian security forces in Indian occupied Kashmir, according to the FO spokesperson.
She urged the world community to take action against the state-terrorism, extra-judicial killings and human rights violations in IoK.
The FO spokesperson said that the global leaders should seek to resolve the Kashmir issue as per the United Nations’ resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people.
Farooqui said that Pakistan also condemns the cowardly attack in Kabul on a maternity hospital.
Regarding the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis, the FO spokesperson said that the embassies and consulates are working round the clock for them.
“So far 24,466 have been repatriated from more than 35 countries. She said weekly number of nationals returning home has been steadily increased from 2000 to about 7000 per week,” the report quoted her as saying.
Pompeo in Israel for West Bank annexation talks
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Israel on Wednesday for talks with leaders on plans to annex swathes of the occupied West Bank, which has been rocked by two days of deadly violence.
The visit by US President Donald Trump’s top diplomat comes a day before Netanyahu’s unity government with rival-turned ally Benny Gantz was to be sworn in, ending a year of political paralysis. It also coincided with an upsurge in violence in the occupied West Bank.
Pompeo also met Gantz, the incoming defence minister, to discuss Trump’s controversial Middle East peace plan, which gives a green light for Israel to annex Jewish settlements and strategic areas of the West Bank.
The Palestinians have rejected Trump’s proposals and cut ties with his administration in 2017 over its pro-Israel stance.
In her weekly press briefing, the FO spokesperson said: “Pakistan always opposed any move for annexation of the occupied Palestinian territories as it would be a serious violation of international law and a dangerous escalation in an already volatile situation".
She also said that Pakistan's persistent support for the two-state solution of the Palestine issue is enshrined in the relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions.
In her news briefing, the FO spokesperson said that the Kashmiri people are constantly facing oppression and acts of terror amid the lockdown and military siege.
Pakistan has strongly condemned extrajudicial killings in fake encounters by Indian security forces in Indian occupied Kashmir, according to the FO spokesperson.
She urged the world community to take action against the state-terrorism, extra-judicial killings and human rights violations in IoK.
The FO spokesperson said that the global leaders should seek to resolve the Kashmir issue as per the United Nations’ resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people.
Farooqui said that Pakistan also condemns the cowardly attack in Kabul on a maternity hospital.
Regarding the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis, the FO spokesperson said that the embassies and consulates are working round the clock for them.
“So far 24,466 have been repatriated from more than 35 countries. She said weekly number of nationals returning home has been steadily increased from 2000 to about 7000 per week,” the report quoted her as saying.
Pompeo in Israel for West Bank annexation talks
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Israel on Wednesday for talks with leaders on plans to annex swathes of the occupied West Bank, which has been rocked by two days of deadly violence.
The visit by US President Donald Trump’s top diplomat comes a day before Netanyahu’s unity government with rival-turned ally Benny Gantz was to be sworn in, ending a year of political paralysis. It also coincided with an upsurge in violence in the occupied West Bank.
Pompeo also met Gantz, the incoming defence minister, to discuss Trump’s controversial Middle East peace plan, which gives a green light for Israel to annex Jewish settlements and strategic areas of the West Bank.
The Palestinians have rejected Trump’s proposals and cut ties with his administration in 2017 over its pro-Israel stance.
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Israel's plan to annex more land from the illegally occupied West Bank will bring a new calamity for Palestinians, similar to their mass exodus in 1948, known as Nakba, thinkers and prominent politicians say.
"The annexation of Jordan Valley is an attempt to complete the catastrophe of 1948 and to completely liquidate the Palestinian cause," said Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council.
May 15 marks the day hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were ethnically cleansed from their homes by Zionist paramilitaries, which ushered in the creation of the state of Israel in 1948.
The 72nd anniversary of Nakba has come at a time when an extreme right-wing government in Israel looks to expand its territory to the Jordan Valley.
Ashrawi, who served as an official spokesperson of the Palestinian delegation to the Middle East peace process in the early 1990s, blamed the US government, saying it was a partner in crime at a time when the world was preoccupied with the outbreak of coronavirus.
"There are some international moves and threats to Israel. There are European countries that will move and will not remain silent in the face of annexation in addition to Jordan's recent threat to Israel in case of implementing the annexation, which poses an existential threat because the annexation will be applied on the Jordanian border also," she said.
Palestinian food security
Ashrawi blamed Israel for carrying out ethnic cleansing in the Jordan Valley and destroying everything that belonged to Palestinians there.
As many as 50,000 Palestinians living in the Jordan Valley own about 12,355 acres of agricultural land.
This land constitutes half of the total agricultural land providing food security to Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
The Jordan Valley attends to nearly 60 percent of the vegetable requirements of Palestinian areas.
According to Israeli plans, the annexation will take place on July 1, as agreed between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his newfound ally Benny Gantz, head of the Blue and White alliance.
Palestinian officials have threatened to abolish bilateral agreements with Israel if it goes ahead with its plans, which will further undermine the two-state solution.
The annexation comes as part of US President Donald Trump's Middle East plan announced on January 28.
It refers to Jerusalem as "Israel's undivided capital" and recognises Israeli sovereignty over large parts of the occupied West Bank.
The plan envisions the establishment of a Palestinian state in the form of an archipelago connected through bridges and tunnels.
Palestinian officials say that under the US plan, Israel will annex 30 to 40 percent of the occupied West Bank, including all of occupied East Jerusalem.
The plan drew widespread criticism from the Arab world and was rejected by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) which urged all member states not to engage with it, or to cooperate with the US administration in implementing it in any form.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that if Israel will not abide by the agreements, the Palestinian Authority (PA) will also walk out from these agreements.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...omplete-1948-catastrophe-200515111146185.html
"The annexation of Jordan Valley is an attempt to complete the catastrophe of 1948 and to completely liquidate the Palestinian cause," said Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council.
May 15 marks the day hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were ethnically cleansed from their homes by Zionist paramilitaries, which ushered in the creation of the state of Israel in 1948.
The 72nd anniversary of Nakba has come at a time when an extreme right-wing government in Israel looks to expand its territory to the Jordan Valley.
Ashrawi, who served as an official spokesperson of the Palestinian delegation to the Middle East peace process in the early 1990s, blamed the US government, saying it was a partner in crime at a time when the world was preoccupied with the outbreak of coronavirus.
"There are some international moves and threats to Israel. There are European countries that will move and will not remain silent in the face of annexation in addition to Jordan's recent threat to Israel in case of implementing the annexation, which poses an existential threat because the annexation will be applied on the Jordanian border also," she said.
Palestinian food security
Ashrawi blamed Israel for carrying out ethnic cleansing in the Jordan Valley and destroying everything that belonged to Palestinians there.
As many as 50,000 Palestinians living in the Jordan Valley own about 12,355 acres of agricultural land.
This land constitutes half of the total agricultural land providing food security to Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
The Jordan Valley attends to nearly 60 percent of the vegetable requirements of Palestinian areas.
According to Israeli plans, the annexation will take place on July 1, as agreed between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his newfound ally Benny Gantz, head of the Blue and White alliance.
Palestinian officials have threatened to abolish bilateral agreements with Israel if it goes ahead with its plans, which will further undermine the two-state solution.
The annexation comes as part of US President Donald Trump's Middle East plan announced on January 28.
It refers to Jerusalem as "Israel's undivided capital" and recognises Israeli sovereignty over large parts of the occupied West Bank.
The plan envisions the establishment of a Palestinian state in the form of an archipelago connected through bridges and tunnels.
Palestinian officials say that under the US plan, Israel will annex 30 to 40 percent of the occupied West Bank, including all of occupied East Jerusalem.
The plan drew widespread criticism from the Arab world and was rejected by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) which urged all member states not to engage with it, or to cooperate with the US administration in implementing it in any form.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that if Israel will not abide by the agreements, the Palestinian Authority (PA) will also walk out from these agreements.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...omplete-1948-catastrophe-200515111146185.html
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The EU has indicated that it will try to stop Israel's proposed annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank.
Foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the bloc would use its diplomatic clout to prevent unilateral action.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the new unity government could press ahead with annexing some West Bank settlements and the Jordan Valley as early as in July.
The Palestinians bitterly oppose the idea.
Speaking after a virtual meeting of EU foreign ministers, Mr Borrell said: "We must work to discourage any possible initiative toward annexation."
He said the EU looked forward to working with Israel's new government, but added: "Unilateral action from either side should be avoided and for sure international law should be upheld."
Some EU states are said to be calling for a tougher line on the issue, including possible sanctions, but others have urged caution.
"What everybody agreed is we have to increase our efforts and our reach-out to all relevant actors in the Middle East," Mr Borrell said.
The application of Israeli sovereignty over parts of the West Bank is in line with US President Donald Trump's "vision for peace" between Israel and the Palestinians, which was unveiled in January.
Mr Trump's plan also envisages a Palestinian state in about 70% of the West Bank, all of Gaza, and with its capital on the fringes of East Jerusalem.
The Palestinians - who claim all of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem - have rejected the US plan, dismissing it as biased towards Israel and a denial of their rights.
Israel has occupied the territories since the 1967 Middle East war. More than 600,000 Jews live in about 140 settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Most of the international community considers the settlements illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this.
PM Netanyahu secured permission to pursue his campaign pledge of annexation as part of a power-sharing deal with Benny Gantz's Blue and White party, agreed in April after a year of deadlock.
He said cabinet discussions would begin on 1 July, but this needs to be agreed with Washington under the agreement with Mr Gantz.
Mr Netanyahu has expressed confidence Mr Trump will give him the go-ahead, but the US president is yet to do so.
In a visit this month, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said it was Israel's decision on how to move forward. In an interview with the Israel Hayom newspaper, he noted the issue was complex and required coordination with Washington. Some observers saw this comment as a veiled warning to Israel to proceed with caution.
Arab countries, including Jordan and Egypt, have also cautioned against Israeli annexation moves.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-midd...at-apps.in-app-msg.whatsapp.trial.link1_.auin
Foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the bloc would use its diplomatic clout to prevent unilateral action.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the new unity government could press ahead with annexing some West Bank settlements and the Jordan Valley as early as in July.
The Palestinians bitterly oppose the idea.
Speaking after a virtual meeting of EU foreign ministers, Mr Borrell said: "We must work to discourage any possible initiative toward annexation."
He said the EU looked forward to working with Israel's new government, but added: "Unilateral action from either side should be avoided and for sure international law should be upheld."
Some EU states are said to be calling for a tougher line on the issue, including possible sanctions, but others have urged caution.
"What everybody agreed is we have to increase our efforts and our reach-out to all relevant actors in the Middle East," Mr Borrell said.
The application of Israeli sovereignty over parts of the West Bank is in line with US President Donald Trump's "vision for peace" between Israel and the Palestinians, which was unveiled in January.
Mr Trump's plan also envisages a Palestinian state in about 70% of the West Bank, all of Gaza, and with its capital on the fringes of East Jerusalem.
The Palestinians - who claim all of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem - have rejected the US plan, dismissing it as biased towards Israel and a denial of their rights.
Israel has occupied the territories since the 1967 Middle East war. More than 600,000 Jews live in about 140 settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Most of the international community considers the settlements illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this.
PM Netanyahu secured permission to pursue his campaign pledge of annexation as part of a power-sharing deal with Benny Gantz's Blue and White party, agreed in April after a year of deadlock.
He said cabinet discussions would begin on 1 July, but this needs to be agreed with Washington under the agreement with Mr Gantz.
Mr Netanyahu has expressed confidence Mr Trump will give him the go-ahead, but the US president is yet to do so.
In a visit this month, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said it was Israel's decision on how to move forward. In an interview with the Israel Hayom newspaper, he noted the issue was complex and required coordination with Washington. Some observers saw this comment as a veiled warning to Israel to proceed with caution.
Arab countries, including Jordan and Egypt, have also cautioned against Israeli annexation moves.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-midd...at-apps.in-app-msg.whatsapp.trial.link1_.auin
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Jordan's king warned Israel of a "massive conflict" if it proceeds with plans to annex large parts of the occupied West Bank, as European Union foreign ministers agreed to step up diplomatic efforts to try to head off such a move.
Israel has promised to annex Jewish settlements and the Jordan Valley, which could spell the end of the long-stalled peace process by making it virtually impossible to establish a viable Palestinian state. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has moved a step closer by reaching an agreement to form a government after more than a year of political deadlock.
"Leaders who advocate a one-state solution do not understand what that would mean," Jordan's King Abdullah II said in an interview with the German magazine Der Spiegel published on Friday.
"What would happen if the Palestinian National Authority collapsed? There would be more chaos and extremism in the region. If Israel really annexed the West Bank in July, it would lead to a massive conflict with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan," he said.
Jordan is a close Western ally and one of only two Arab states to have signed a peace treaty with Israel. Abdullah declined to say whether annexation would threaten that agreement.
"I don't want to make threats and create an atmosphere of loggerheads, but we are considering all options. We agree with many countries in Europe and the international community that the law of strength should not apply in the Middle East," he said.
Khaled Elgindy, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, said Israel's annexation plans could pose a threat to the Jordanian monarchy.
"When the king himself comes out and essentially puts his relationship with Israel and the treaty with Israel on the line, its very serious," he told Al Jazeera from Arlington in the United States.
"For the monarchy in Jordan, an end to the two state solution - which this plan and annexation is really aimed at achieving - an end of any prospect of a Palestinian state poses not just a strategic threat, but quite possibly even an existential threat to the monarchy in Jordan."
Jordan has been lobbying the EU to take "practical steps" to make sure annexation does not happen.
In a statement, Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi "stressed the need for the international community and the European Union in particular to take practical steps that reflect the rejection of any Israeli decision to annex".
US President Donald Trump's Middle East plan, which overwhelmingly favours Israel and was rejected by the Palestinians, gave a green light to annexation, but most of the rest of the international community is strongly opposed.
At a video conference, EU foreign ministers reaffirmed their support for a two-state solution and opposition to any annexation. The ministers, whose countries are deeply divided in their approach to Israel, agreed to ramp up diplomatic efforts in the coming days with Israel, the Palestinians, the US and Arab countries.
"We reaffirm our position in support of a negotiated, two-state solution. For this to be possible, unilateral action from either side should be avoided and, for sure, international law should be upheld," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said after chairing the meeting.
"We must work to discourage any possible initiative toward annexation," Borrell told reporters in Brussels. "International law has to be upheld. Here, and there, and everywhere."
He made no mention of the use of sanctions, saying only that the EU will use "all our diplomatic capacities in order to prevent any kind of unilateral action".
The ministers had planned to welcome the formation of a new Israeli government and offer the bloc's cooperation, but Netanyahu and his rival-turned-partner, Benny Gantz, have postponed the swearing-in of their controversial new Cabinet as the Israeli leader tries to quell infighting within his Likud party.
The ceremony, originally scheduled for Thursday, is now planned for Sunday to give Netanyahu more time to hand out coveted Cabinet appointments to members of his party. Their coalition agreement allows him to present an annexation proposal as soon as July 1.
The EU has long been committed to a two-state solution based on the 1967 lines, with the possibility of mutually agreed land-swaps. Israel seized East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 war. The Palestinians want all three to form their future state.
The bloc has already rejected Trump's Middle East plan, which would allow Israel to annex about a third of the West Bank, leaving the Palestinians with heavily conditioned statehood in scattered territorial enclaves surrounded by Israel.
"In our opinion, an annexation is not compatible with international law," German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Friday. "From our point of view, changes to borders must, if at all, be the result of negotiations and happen in agreement between both sides."
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...sive-conflict-annexation-200516035706236.html
Israel has promised to annex Jewish settlements and the Jordan Valley, which could spell the end of the long-stalled peace process by making it virtually impossible to establish a viable Palestinian state. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has moved a step closer by reaching an agreement to form a government after more than a year of political deadlock.
"Leaders who advocate a one-state solution do not understand what that would mean," Jordan's King Abdullah II said in an interview with the German magazine Der Spiegel published on Friday.
"What would happen if the Palestinian National Authority collapsed? There would be more chaos and extremism in the region. If Israel really annexed the West Bank in July, it would lead to a massive conflict with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan," he said.
Jordan is a close Western ally and one of only two Arab states to have signed a peace treaty with Israel. Abdullah declined to say whether annexation would threaten that agreement.
"I don't want to make threats and create an atmosphere of loggerheads, but we are considering all options. We agree with many countries in Europe and the international community that the law of strength should not apply in the Middle East," he said.
Khaled Elgindy, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, said Israel's annexation plans could pose a threat to the Jordanian monarchy.
"When the king himself comes out and essentially puts his relationship with Israel and the treaty with Israel on the line, its very serious," he told Al Jazeera from Arlington in the United States.
"For the monarchy in Jordan, an end to the two state solution - which this plan and annexation is really aimed at achieving - an end of any prospect of a Palestinian state poses not just a strategic threat, but quite possibly even an existential threat to the monarchy in Jordan."
Jordan has been lobbying the EU to take "practical steps" to make sure annexation does not happen.
In a statement, Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi "stressed the need for the international community and the European Union in particular to take practical steps that reflect the rejection of any Israeli decision to annex".
US President Donald Trump's Middle East plan, which overwhelmingly favours Israel and was rejected by the Palestinians, gave a green light to annexation, but most of the rest of the international community is strongly opposed.
At a video conference, EU foreign ministers reaffirmed their support for a two-state solution and opposition to any annexation. The ministers, whose countries are deeply divided in their approach to Israel, agreed to ramp up diplomatic efforts in the coming days with Israel, the Palestinians, the US and Arab countries.
"We reaffirm our position in support of a negotiated, two-state solution. For this to be possible, unilateral action from either side should be avoided and, for sure, international law should be upheld," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said after chairing the meeting.
"We must work to discourage any possible initiative toward annexation," Borrell told reporters in Brussels. "International law has to be upheld. Here, and there, and everywhere."
He made no mention of the use of sanctions, saying only that the EU will use "all our diplomatic capacities in order to prevent any kind of unilateral action".
The ministers had planned to welcome the formation of a new Israeli government and offer the bloc's cooperation, but Netanyahu and his rival-turned-partner, Benny Gantz, have postponed the swearing-in of their controversial new Cabinet as the Israeli leader tries to quell infighting within his Likud party.
The ceremony, originally scheduled for Thursday, is now planned for Sunday to give Netanyahu more time to hand out coveted Cabinet appointments to members of his party. Their coalition agreement allows him to present an annexation proposal as soon as July 1.
The EU has long been committed to a two-state solution based on the 1967 lines, with the possibility of mutually agreed land-swaps. Israel seized East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 war. The Palestinians want all three to form their future state.
The bloc has already rejected Trump's Middle East plan, which would allow Israel to annex about a third of the West Bank, leaving the Palestinians with heavily conditioned statehood in scattered territorial enclaves surrounded by Israel.
"In our opinion, an annexation is not compatible with international law," German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Friday. "From our point of view, changes to borders must, if at all, be the result of negotiations and happen in agreement between both sides."
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...sive-conflict-annexation-200516035706236.html
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Israeli forces have fired tear gas at Palestinians protesting against the expansion of Israeli settlements, considered illegal under international law, in northern occupied West Bank, injuring dozens of them, according to local media reports.
Friday's two demonstrations in al-Sawiya and Kafr Qaddum coincided with the 72nd anniversary of the Nakba, or the "day of catastrophe", in which Israel was officially declared a state following the forced removal of more than 750,000 Palestinians from their homes and the destruction of some 500 villages and towns.
Later on Friday, at least three Palestinians were shot by Israeli soldiers after they allegedly attempted to attack a military post in Abu Dis, a village near occupied East Jerusalem.
"An attack was thwarted moments ago when IDF [Israeli army] troops spotted 3 Palestinians hurling explosives & lighting Molotov cocktails, preparing to attack an IDF post," the Israeli military said in a statement on its Twitter page.
"Our troops responded with fire and thwarted the attack," the statement added.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said the three men were shot with live ammunition and were transferred to hospital for treatment.
Following a brief lull of confrontations during the coronavirus pandemic, tensions have risen in recent days leading up to the expected swearing-in of Israel's new coalition government whose agenda includes a possible declaration of sovereignty over Jewish settlements and the Jordan Valley in the West Bank - a de facto annexation.
The Palestinians want the West Bank as part of a future state and deem Israeli settlements there illegal, as do most world powers, but Israel and the United States dispute that view.
As many as 50,000 Palestinians living in the Jordan Valley own about 12,355 acres (5,000 hectares) of agricultural land, which constitutes half of the total agricultural land providing food security to Palestinians in the West Bank.
Palestinian officials have threatened to abolish bilateral agreements with Israel if it goes ahead with the plan to annex parts of the West Bank as early as July 1.
On Friday, Jordan's King Abdulla II warned Israel of a "massive conflict" if it went ahead with the plan.
"Leaders who advocate a one-state solution do not understand what that would mean," he said in an interview published by Germany's Der Spiegel.
"What would happen if the Palestinian National Authority collapsed? There would be more chaos and extremism in the region. If Israel really annexed the West Bank in July, it would lead to a massive conflict with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan," he said.
Meanwhile, the European Union pledged to launch diplomatic efforts in an attempt to stop the annexation from taking place.
The potential Israeli move is in line with US President Donald Trump's so-called Middle East proposal, which was unveiled in January.
Trump's plan, which was categorically rejected by the Palestinians as utterly biased in favour of Israel, gives Israel the green light to annex settlements and strategic areas of the West Bank.
For much of the international community, such a move by Israel would amount to a grave violation of international law and crush hopes of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It could also further inflame regional tensions.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...ests-israeli-settlements-200516080322410.html
Friday's two demonstrations in al-Sawiya and Kafr Qaddum coincided with the 72nd anniversary of the Nakba, or the "day of catastrophe", in which Israel was officially declared a state following the forced removal of more than 750,000 Palestinians from their homes and the destruction of some 500 villages and towns.
Later on Friday, at least three Palestinians were shot by Israeli soldiers after they allegedly attempted to attack a military post in Abu Dis, a village near occupied East Jerusalem.
"An attack was thwarted moments ago when IDF [Israeli army] troops spotted 3 Palestinians hurling explosives & lighting Molotov cocktails, preparing to attack an IDF post," the Israeli military said in a statement on its Twitter page.
"Our troops responded with fire and thwarted the attack," the statement added.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said the three men were shot with live ammunition and were transferred to hospital for treatment.
Following a brief lull of confrontations during the coronavirus pandemic, tensions have risen in recent days leading up to the expected swearing-in of Israel's new coalition government whose agenda includes a possible declaration of sovereignty over Jewish settlements and the Jordan Valley in the West Bank - a de facto annexation.
The Palestinians want the West Bank as part of a future state and deem Israeli settlements there illegal, as do most world powers, but Israel and the United States dispute that view.
As many as 50,000 Palestinians living in the Jordan Valley own about 12,355 acres (5,000 hectares) of agricultural land, which constitutes half of the total agricultural land providing food security to Palestinians in the West Bank.
Palestinian officials have threatened to abolish bilateral agreements with Israel if it goes ahead with the plan to annex parts of the West Bank as early as July 1.
On Friday, Jordan's King Abdulla II warned Israel of a "massive conflict" if it went ahead with the plan.
"Leaders who advocate a one-state solution do not understand what that would mean," he said in an interview published by Germany's Der Spiegel.
"What would happen if the Palestinian National Authority collapsed? There would be more chaos and extremism in the region. If Israel really annexed the West Bank in July, it would lead to a massive conflict with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan," he said.
Meanwhile, the European Union pledged to launch diplomatic efforts in an attempt to stop the annexation from taking place.
The potential Israeli move is in line with US President Donald Trump's so-called Middle East proposal, which was unveiled in January.
Trump's plan, which was categorically rejected by the Palestinians as utterly biased in favour of Israel, gives Israel the green light to annex settlements and strategic areas of the West Bank.
For much of the international community, such a move by Israel would amount to a grave violation of international law and crush hopes of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It could also further inflame regional tensions.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...ests-israeli-settlements-200516080322410.html
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- Oct 2, 2004
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Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced on Tuesday that his administration considers all agreements signed with Israel and the United States null and void, after Israel declared it would annex parts of the occupied West Bank, according to local media reports.
Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that Abbas made the announcement during an emergency meeting held in Ramallah to discuss the Israeli plans.
"The Palestine Liberation Organization and the State of Palestine are absolved, as of today, of all the agreements and understandings with the American and Israeli governments and of all the obligations based on these understandings and agreements, including the security ones," Abbas reportedly said.
"The Israeli occupation authority, as of today, has to shoulder all responsibilities and obligations in front of the international community as an occupying power over the territory of the occupied state of Palestine."
Abbas threatened to withdraw from agreements back in February, after US President Donald Trump unveiled his Middle East plan, which included the possibility of annexation.
Al Jazeera correspondent Nida Ibrahim said the implications of the move remained unclear.
"While he said that the PLO is no longer bound by agreements signed with Israel, he did not say that he is dissolving the Palestinian Authority," Ibrahim said from Ramallah.
During his address, which was broadcast on Palestinian television, Abbas also said he was still ready to negotiate with Israel and remains committed to ending the conflict on the basis of a two-state solution.
Speaking from Chicago, Ali Abunimah of Electronic Intifada was sceptical about Abbas' announcement.
"Mahmoud Abbas has announced I can't remember how many times that he's suspended this agreement or that agreement and the fact is that he's never (actually) done that. He's never (actually) suspended an agreement," he said. "The reality is that the Palestinian Authority cannot move a salt shaker from one side of the table to another without the permission and help of the Israelis."
Annexing parts of the occupied West Bank and the Jordan Valley as part of Trump's Middle East plan was a central promise of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's latest re-election campaign. His former political rivals-turned-allies Benny Gantz and Gabi Ashkenazi have also expressed their support of the plan.
Netanyahu was sworn into office for another term on Sunday, after more than 500 days without a stable government and three inconclusive elections.
Addressing the parliament before the vote, Netanyahu said his incoming government should apply Israeli sovereignty over Jewish settlements, which are illegal under international law.
"It's time to apply the Israeli law and write another glorious chapter in the history of Zionism," Netanyahu said on the issue of Jewish settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory.
"These territories are where the Jewish nation was born and grew," he said of the settlements.
Such a move will likely cause international uproar and inflame tensions in the West Bank.
Jordan's King Abdullah II, warned Israel of a "massive conflict" if it went ahead with the plan, while the European Union's foreign policy chief said EU would use "all our diplomatic capacities" to try to dissuade the new government from going ahead with the move.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...bbas-accords-israel-void-200519214402347.html
Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that Abbas made the announcement during an emergency meeting held in Ramallah to discuss the Israeli plans.
"The Palestine Liberation Organization and the State of Palestine are absolved, as of today, of all the agreements and understandings with the American and Israeli governments and of all the obligations based on these understandings and agreements, including the security ones," Abbas reportedly said.
"The Israeli occupation authority, as of today, has to shoulder all responsibilities and obligations in front of the international community as an occupying power over the territory of the occupied state of Palestine."
Abbas threatened to withdraw from agreements back in February, after US President Donald Trump unveiled his Middle East plan, which included the possibility of annexation.
Al Jazeera correspondent Nida Ibrahim said the implications of the move remained unclear.
"While he said that the PLO is no longer bound by agreements signed with Israel, he did not say that he is dissolving the Palestinian Authority," Ibrahim said from Ramallah.
During his address, which was broadcast on Palestinian television, Abbas also said he was still ready to negotiate with Israel and remains committed to ending the conflict on the basis of a two-state solution.
Speaking from Chicago, Ali Abunimah of Electronic Intifada was sceptical about Abbas' announcement.
"Mahmoud Abbas has announced I can't remember how many times that he's suspended this agreement or that agreement and the fact is that he's never (actually) done that. He's never (actually) suspended an agreement," he said. "The reality is that the Palestinian Authority cannot move a salt shaker from one side of the table to another without the permission and help of the Israelis."
Annexing parts of the occupied West Bank and the Jordan Valley as part of Trump's Middle East plan was a central promise of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's latest re-election campaign. His former political rivals-turned-allies Benny Gantz and Gabi Ashkenazi have also expressed their support of the plan.
Netanyahu was sworn into office for another term on Sunday, after more than 500 days without a stable government and three inconclusive elections.
Addressing the parliament before the vote, Netanyahu said his incoming government should apply Israeli sovereignty over Jewish settlements, which are illegal under international law.
"It's time to apply the Israeli law and write another glorious chapter in the history of Zionism," Netanyahu said on the issue of Jewish settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory.
"These territories are where the Jewish nation was born and grew," he said of the settlements.
Such a move will likely cause international uproar and inflame tensions in the West Bank.
Jordan's King Abdullah II, warned Israel of a "massive conflict" if it went ahead with the plan, while the European Union's foreign policy chief said EU would use "all our diplomatic capacities" to try to dissuade the new government from going ahead with the move.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...bbas-accords-israel-void-200519214402347.html
Abdullah719
T20I Captain
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2013
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- 44,825
UAE's Etihad makes first known flight to Israel
An Etihad Airways plane flew from the capital of the United Arab Emirates into Israel on Tuesday to deliver coronavirus aid to the Palestinians, the airline said, marking the first known direct commercial flight between the two nations.
The flight took place despite the UAE having no formal diplomatic ties with Israel, while there are no commercial flights between the two states.
However, it marks an open moment of cooperation between the countries after years of rumoured back-channel discussions between them over mutual enmity towards regional rival Iran.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/05/uae-etihad-flight-israel-200519193755928.html
An Etihad Airways plane flew from the capital of the United Arab Emirates into Israel on Tuesday to deliver coronavirus aid to the Palestinians, the airline said, marking the first known direct commercial flight between the two nations.
The flight took place despite the UAE having no formal diplomatic ties with Israel, while there are no commercial flights between the two states.
However, it marks an open moment of cooperation between the countries after years of rumoured back-channel discussions between them over mutual enmity towards regional rival Iran.
In the past, private and diplomatic planes often had to travel to a third country before heading onto Israel.
Etihad, a state-owned, long-haul carrier, confirmed that it had sent a flight Tuesday to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport.
"Etihad Airways operated a dedicated humanitarian cargo flight from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv on 19 May to provide medical supplies to the Palestinians," the airline told The Associated Press news agency.
The Emirati government did not provide immediate comment.
Videos showed crew at Ben Gurion Airport off-loading stacks of cardboard boxes with large banners over them reading: "UAE AID: for Palestine to fight Coronavirus (COVID-19)."
The United Nations said it coordinated the 14-tonne shipment of "urgent medical supplies" from the UAE to help curb the spread of COVID-19 in the Palestinian territories, according to a statement from the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO).
"The aid includes personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical equipment. Most notably, it includes 10 ventilators that are acutely needed," the statement added.
It was not immediately clear whether the 14 tonnes of aid were transported on the Tuesday Etihad cargo flight. Etihad was not mentioned in the UNSCO statement.
Palestinian officials in the occupied West Bank made no immediate comment. Health officials in the Gaza Strip, which is ruled by the Hamas movement, said they had no knowledge of any aid shipment for Gaza from Abu Dhabi.
An Israeli official said the flight would be delivering humanitarian aid provided by the UAE to the Palestinians and that the cargo flight was coordinated with the Israeli government. The official spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the subject.
Neither the Gaza Strip nor the West Bank has its own airport, meaning most cargo bound for Palestinian territory must enter through Israel.
Etihad, a state-owned, long-haul carrier, confirmed that it had sent a flight Tuesday to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport.
"Etihad Airways operated a dedicated humanitarian cargo flight from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv on 19 May to provide medical supplies to the Palestinians," the airline told The Associated Press news agency.
The Emirati government did not provide immediate comment.
Videos showed crew at Ben Gurion Airport off-loading stacks of cardboard boxes with large banners over them reading: "UAE AID: for Palestine to fight Coronavirus (COVID-19)."
The United Nations said it coordinated the 14-tonne shipment of "urgent medical supplies" from the UAE to help curb the spread of COVID-19 in the Palestinian territories, according to a statement from the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO).
"The aid includes personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical equipment. Most notably, it includes 10 ventilators that are acutely needed," the statement added.
It was not immediately clear whether the 14 tonnes of aid were transported on the Tuesday Etihad cargo flight. Etihad was not mentioned in the UNSCO statement.
Palestinian officials in the occupied West Bank made no immediate comment. Health officials in the Gaza Strip, which is ruled by the Hamas movement, said they had no knowledge of any aid shipment for Gaza from Abu Dhabi.
An Israeli official said the flight would be delivering humanitarian aid provided by the UAE to the Palestinians and that the cargo flight was coordinated with the Israeli government. The official spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the subject.
Neither the Gaza Strip nor the West Bank has its own airport, meaning most cargo bound for Palestinian territory must enter through Israel.
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- Oct 2, 2004
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The Palestinian Authority (PA) has rejected an aid shipment from the United Arab Emirates, according to the Palestinian health minister.
In a news conference on Thursday, Mai Kaila said her country refused to receive the medical aid as the Emirati side ignored to coordinate with them.
"The UAE has not coordinated with us regarding the medical aid, and we reject to receive it without coordination," said the minister.
"We are a sovereign country, and they should have coordinated with us first."
Earlier on Thursday, Maan News Agency, known for being close to the PA, said citing informed sources the decision came as the aid arrived at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.
'Cover for normalisation'
On Tuesday, an Emirati flight carrying medical aid for Palestinians landed at an Israeli airport after taking off from Abu Dhabi, marking the first public flight between the two states despite the UAE not having any official ties with Israel.
Etihad Airways, the state-owned air carrier, confirmed the flight.
"Etihad Airways operated a dedicated humanitarian cargo flight from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv on 19 May to provide medical supplies to the Palestinians," the airline told The Associated Press news agency on Tuesday.
Israeli journalist Itay Blumental tweeted two photos of the aircraft, with the caption: "To Palestinians, with love from Abu Dhabi through Israel."
"The UAE authorities did not coordinate with the state of Palestine before sending the aid," the government sources said, adding that "Palestinians refuse to be a bridge [for Arab countries] seeking to have normalised ties with Israel."
They asserted that any assistance meant to be sent to the Palestinian people should be coordinated with the PA first.
"Sending them directly to Israel constitutes a cover for normalisation," they added.
Covert ties with Israel
Unlike Jordan and Egypt, both of which signed peace treaties with Israel in 1978 and 1994, respectively, other Arab states officially deny having ties with Israel, which has been occupying Palestinian territories for decades.
In recent years, however, several Gulf states such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman, have cultivated covert ties with Israel.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in January 2018, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: "There is an alignment of Israel and other countries in the Middle East that would have been unimaginable 10 years ago."
"Certainly in my lifetime, I never saw anything like it and I'm at the age of the State of Israel more or less, so it's an extraordinary thing."
Two months later, in March, Saudi Arabia allowed an Israel-bound passenger plane to cross through its airspace for the first time ever, breaking a 70-year ban.
In October the same year, Netanyahu met with Oman's Sultan Qaboos in Muscat in a surprise, unannounced trip.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...-uae-aid-israeli-airport-200521104350610.html
In a news conference on Thursday, Mai Kaila said her country refused to receive the medical aid as the Emirati side ignored to coordinate with them.
"The UAE has not coordinated with us regarding the medical aid, and we reject to receive it without coordination," said the minister.
"We are a sovereign country, and they should have coordinated with us first."
Earlier on Thursday, Maan News Agency, known for being close to the PA, said citing informed sources the decision came as the aid arrived at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.
'Cover for normalisation'
On Tuesday, an Emirati flight carrying medical aid for Palestinians landed at an Israeli airport after taking off from Abu Dhabi, marking the first public flight between the two states despite the UAE not having any official ties with Israel.
Etihad Airways, the state-owned air carrier, confirmed the flight.
"Etihad Airways operated a dedicated humanitarian cargo flight from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv on 19 May to provide medical supplies to the Palestinians," the airline told The Associated Press news agency on Tuesday.
Israeli journalist Itay Blumental tweeted two photos of the aircraft, with the caption: "To Palestinians, with love from Abu Dhabi through Israel."
"The UAE authorities did not coordinate with the state of Palestine before sending the aid," the government sources said, adding that "Palestinians refuse to be a bridge [for Arab countries] seeking to have normalised ties with Israel."
They asserted that any assistance meant to be sent to the Palestinian people should be coordinated with the PA first.
"Sending them directly to Israel constitutes a cover for normalisation," they added.
Covert ties with Israel
Unlike Jordan and Egypt, both of which signed peace treaties with Israel in 1978 and 1994, respectively, other Arab states officially deny having ties with Israel, which has been occupying Palestinian territories for decades.
In recent years, however, several Gulf states such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman, have cultivated covert ties with Israel.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in January 2018, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: "There is an alignment of Israel and other countries in the Middle East that would have been unimaginable 10 years ago."
"Certainly in my lifetime, I never saw anything like it and I'm at the age of the State of Israel more or less, so it's an extraordinary thing."
Two months later, in March, Saudi Arabia allowed an Israel-bound passenger plane to cross through its airspace for the first time ever, breaking a 70-year ban.
In October the same year, Netanyahu met with Oman's Sultan Qaboos in Muscat in a surprise, unannounced trip.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...-uae-aid-israeli-airport-200521104350610.html
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JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel will not miss a “historic opportunity” to extend its sovereignty to parts of the West Bank, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday, calling the move one of his new government’s top tasks.
Palestinians consider such a step as illegal annexation of occupied land they seek for a future state. Last week, they declared an end to security cooperation with Israel and its ally, the United States, in protest at the territorial plan.
Netanyahu has pledged to put Jewish settlements and the Jordan Valley in the West Bank under Israeli sovereignty. He has set July 1 as a starting date for cabinet discussions on the issue, which has also raised alarm within the European Union.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has called the matter complex and said it required coordination with Washington. Netanyahu’s new political partner, centrist Benny Gantz, has been equivocal about de facto annexation.
At a meeting of legislators of his right-wing Likud party on Monday, Netanyahu set land moves in the West Bank as “perhaps the first in importance in many respects” of the tasks to be undertaken by the government he and Gantz formed on May 17.
“We have a historic opportunity, which hasn’t existed since 1948, to apply sovereignty judiciously as a diplomatic...step in Judea and Samaria,” he said, referring to the year of Israel’s birth and using the biblical names for the West Bank.
“It is a big opportunity and we will not let it pass by,” he said a day after the start of his corruption trial. He denies charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.
Netanyahu has cited U.S President Donald Trump’s plan for Israeli-Palestinian peace as underpinning de facto annexation. The Palestinians have rejected the proposal, announced in January, under which most Jewish settlements would be incorporated into “contiguous Israeli territory”.
Palestinians and most countries view the settlements on land Israel took in the 1967 Middle East war as illegal. Israel disputes this. Israeli critics of annexation have voiced concern it could increase anti-Israeli violence.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...est-bank-annexation-opportunity-idUSKBN2311I0
Palestinians consider such a step as illegal annexation of occupied land they seek for a future state. Last week, they declared an end to security cooperation with Israel and its ally, the United States, in protest at the territorial plan.
Netanyahu has pledged to put Jewish settlements and the Jordan Valley in the West Bank under Israeli sovereignty. He has set July 1 as a starting date for cabinet discussions on the issue, which has also raised alarm within the European Union.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has called the matter complex and said it required coordination with Washington. Netanyahu’s new political partner, centrist Benny Gantz, has been equivocal about de facto annexation.
At a meeting of legislators of his right-wing Likud party on Monday, Netanyahu set land moves in the West Bank as “perhaps the first in importance in many respects” of the tasks to be undertaken by the government he and Gantz formed on May 17.
“We have a historic opportunity, which hasn’t existed since 1948, to apply sovereignty judiciously as a diplomatic...step in Judea and Samaria,” he said, referring to the year of Israel’s birth and using the biblical names for the West Bank.
“It is a big opportunity and we will not let it pass by,” he said a day after the start of his corruption trial. He denies charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.
Netanyahu has cited U.S President Donald Trump’s plan for Israeli-Palestinian peace as underpinning de facto annexation. The Palestinians have rejected the proposal, announced in January, under which most Jewish settlements would be incorporated into “contiguous Israeli territory”.
Palestinians and most countries view the settlements on land Israel took in the 1967 Middle East war as illegal. Israel disputes this. Israeli critics of annexation have voiced concern it could increase anti-Israeli violence.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...est-bank-annexation-opportunity-idUSKBN2311I0
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Israeli police shoot dead 'unarmed' Palestinian man in Jerusalem
Israeli police officers have shot dead a Palestinian they suspected was carrying a weapon in Jerusalem’s Old City, but the man was later found to have been unarmed, Israeli media reported.
“Police units on patrol spotted a suspect with a suspicious object that looked like a pistol,” the police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said. “They called upon him to stop and began to chase after him on foot. During the chase officers also opened fire at the suspect.”
Rosenfeld said the suspect, a Palestinian resident of east Jerusalem, was dead.
Police did not say whether the man had been carrying a weapon, but Israel’s Channel 13 News reported that he was unarmed and may have had mental health problems.
There was no immediate comment from Palestinian officials.
Tension has risen in recent weeks after Israel said it hoped to move ahead with a plan to extend sovereignty to Jewish settlements and the Jordan Valley in the occupied West Bank.
The Palestinians, Arab states, the United Nations and European states have warned against the move and the Palestinians have declared an end to security cooperation with Israel and the United States in protest.
On Friday, the Israeli military said its troops in the West Bank shot and killed a Palestinian who had tried to run them over with a car.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/30/israeli-police-shoot-dead-palestinian-man-jerusalem
Israeli police officers have shot dead a Palestinian they suspected was carrying a weapon in Jerusalem’s Old City, but the man was later found to have been unarmed, Israeli media reported.
“Police units on patrol spotted a suspect with a suspicious object that looked like a pistol,” the police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said. “They called upon him to stop and began to chase after him on foot. During the chase officers also opened fire at the suspect.”
Rosenfeld said the suspect, a Palestinian resident of east Jerusalem, was dead.
Police did not say whether the man had been carrying a weapon, but Israel’s Channel 13 News reported that he was unarmed and may have had mental health problems.
There was no immediate comment from Palestinian officials.
Tension has risen in recent weeks after Israel said it hoped to move ahead with a plan to extend sovereignty to Jewish settlements and the Jordan Valley in the occupied West Bank.
The Palestinians, Arab states, the United Nations and European states have warned against the move and the Palestinians have declared an end to security cooperation with Israel and the United States in protest.
On Friday, the Israeli military said its troops in the West Bank shot and killed a Palestinian who had tried to run them over with a car.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/30/israeli-police-shoot-dead-palestinian-man-jerusalem
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Autistic Palestinian shot by Israeli police buried amid revenge call
Hundreds of people have attended the funeral of an autistic Palestinian man who was shot dead by Israeli police.
Iyad Halaq, 32, was killed on Saturday in occupied East Jerusalem while he walked to his special needs school.
Israel's police force said officers suspected Mr Halaq was carrying a weapon and that they opened fire when he failed to obey orders to stop. He was later found to have been unarmed.
Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz expressed regret over the shooting.
"We are sorry about the incident in which Iyad Halaq was shot, and we of course share in the grief of his family. I am sure this issue will be quickly investigated and conclusions will be drawn," he told a cabinet meeting on Sunday.
Mr Gantz added that Israeli security forces would "make every effort to use necessary force with the intention of reducing casualties as much as possible".
Tensions have risen in recent weeks after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would press ahead with a plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank.
The Palestinian Authority has responded by saying it is no longer bound by agreements with Israel and the United States - which backs Israel keeping part of the West Bank - including those relating to security.
Iyad Halaq would walk every day from his home in Jerusalem's Wadi al-Joz area to the Old City to go to the Elwyn El Quds centre, which provides services for children and adults with disabilities.
Mr Halaq's cousin, Dr Hatem Awiwi, said he was on the low-functioning end of the autism spectrum and that he had trouble communicating with people.
"He didn't know what a police officer is," Dr Awiwi told Israel's Haaretz newspaper. "He saw a stranger and fled, and then they shot him."
An Israeli police statement said units on patrol in the Old City "spotted a suspect with a suspicious object that looked like a pistol".
"They called upon him to stop and began to chase after him on foot. During the chase, officers also opened fire at the suspect, who was neutralised," it added. "No weapon was found at the scene after the area was searched."
An autopsy carried out on Sunday found Mr Halaq was shot twice in the chest.
"The findings increase the suspicion that the policemen committed crimes, and we expect those responsible for the investigation to move it forward and put the policemen on trial," the Halaq family's lawyer, Jad Qadmani, said.
The secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), Saab Erekat, said it was "crime that will be met with impunity unless the world stops treating Israel as a state above the law".
He drew parallels with the killing of George Floyd in the US, which has sparked widespread protests.
Palestinians and Israelis protested against the killing of Mr Halaq in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Jaffa on Saturday and Sunday. Some carried posters saying "Justice for Iyad" and "Palestinian lives matter".
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-52876014
Hundreds of people have attended the funeral of an autistic Palestinian man who was shot dead by Israeli police.
Iyad Halaq, 32, was killed on Saturday in occupied East Jerusalem while he walked to his special needs school.
Israel's police force said officers suspected Mr Halaq was carrying a weapon and that they opened fire when he failed to obey orders to stop. He was later found to have been unarmed.
Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz expressed regret over the shooting.
"We are sorry about the incident in which Iyad Halaq was shot, and we of course share in the grief of his family. I am sure this issue will be quickly investigated and conclusions will be drawn," he told a cabinet meeting on Sunday.
Mr Gantz added that Israeli security forces would "make every effort to use necessary force with the intention of reducing casualties as much as possible".
Tensions have risen in recent weeks after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would press ahead with a plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank.
The Palestinian Authority has responded by saying it is no longer bound by agreements with Israel and the United States - which backs Israel keeping part of the West Bank - including those relating to security.
Iyad Halaq would walk every day from his home in Jerusalem's Wadi al-Joz area to the Old City to go to the Elwyn El Quds centre, which provides services for children and adults with disabilities.
Mr Halaq's cousin, Dr Hatem Awiwi, said he was on the low-functioning end of the autism spectrum and that he had trouble communicating with people.
"He didn't know what a police officer is," Dr Awiwi told Israel's Haaretz newspaper. "He saw a stranger and fled, and then they shot him."
An Israeli police statement said units on patrol in the Old City "spotted a suspect with a suspicious object that looked like a pistol".
"They called upon him to stop and began to chase after him on foot. During the chase, officers also opened fire at the suspect, who was neutralised," it added. "No weapon was found at the scene after the area was searched."
An autopsy carried out on Sunday found Mr Halaq was shot twice in the chest.
"The findings increase the suspicion that the policemen committed crimes, and we expect those responsible for the investigation to move it forward and put the policemen on trial," the Halaq family's lawyer, Jad Qadmani, said.
The secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), Saab Erekat, said it was "crime that will be met with impunity unless the world stops treating Israel as a state above the law".
He drew parallels with the killing of George Floyd in the US, which has sparked widespread protests.
Palestinians and Israelis protested against the killing of Mr Halaq in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Jaffa on Saturday and Sunday. Some carried posters saying "Justice for Iyad" and "Palestinian lives matter".
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-52876014
Extra_Cover
Local Club Star
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- Post of the Week
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Such stories just makes me sick. Life of an individual carries no value against autonomy. This is a very materialistic world.
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A senior United Arab Emirates official said on Monday that any unilateral move by Israel to annex parts of the occupied West Bank would be a serious setback for the Middle East peace process.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said cabinet discussions would begin on July 1 on his plan to extend Israeli sovereignty to territory Palestinians want for their own state.
"Continued Israeli talk of annexing Palestinian lands must stop," Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said in a Twitter post.
"Any unilateral Israeli move will be a serious setback for the peace process, undermine Palestinian self determination & constitute a
rejection of the international & Arab consensus towards stability & peace.
"The UAE is among the US-allied Gulf states that have recently appeared to be prioritising close ties with the US - which they see as vital to countering Iran's regional influence - over their traditional policy of unswerving support for the Palestinians.
Gulf states largely voiced support for a so-called "Middle East plan" proposed by US President Donald Trump in January that proposed a demilitarised Palestinian state with borders drawn to meet Israeli security needs, and US recognition of Israeli settlements - illegal under international law - on occupied West Bank land.
The Palestinians, who were not consulted during the writing of the plan, rejected it.
There have been several indicators in recent years that relations between Israel and the UAE were warming up.
Last March, Gargash said Arab states made a "very wrong decision" in the past when they decided to not have formal relations or contact with Israel.
"The strategic shift is needed actually for us to progress on the peace front," he said.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...annex-occupied-west-bank-200601075906128.html
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said cabinet discussions would begin on July 1 on his plan to extend Israeli sovereignty to territory Palestinians want for their own state.
"Continued Israeli talk of annexing Palestinian lands must stop," Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said in a Twitter post.
"Any unilateral Israeli move will be a serious setback for the peace process, undermine Palestinian self determination & constitute a
rejection of the international & Arab consensus towards stability & peace.
"The UAE is among the US-allied Gulf states that have recently appeared to be prioritising close ties with the US - which they see as vital to countering Iran's regional influence - over their traditional policy of unswerving support for the Palestinians.
Gulf states largely voiced support for a so-called "Middle East plan" proposed by US President Donald Trump in January that proposed a demilitarised Palestinian state with borders drawn to meet Israeli security needs, and US recognition of Israeli settlements - illegal under international law - on occupied West Bank land.
The Palestinians, who were not consulted during the writing of the plan, rejected it.
There have been several indicators in recent years that relations between Israel and the UAE were warming up.
Last March, Gargash said Arab states made a "very wrong decision" in the past when they decided to not have formal relations or contact with Israel.
"The strategic shift is needed actually for us to progress on the peace front," he said.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...annex-occupied-west-bank-200601075906128.html
Abdullah719
T20I Captain
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<iframe src='https://players.brightcove.net/665003303001/4k5gFJHRe_default/index.html?videoId=6161005193001&usrPersonaAds=0' allowfullscreen frameborder=0></iframe>
Anger at killing of autistic Palestinian by Israeli police
There have been further protests in Israel over the shooting of an autistic Palestinian man by Israeli police.
Iyad el-Hallak, 32, was chased and killed in occupied East Jerusalem on Saturday.
Officers said they suspected he was carrying a gun and fired at him after he ran away when ordered to stop.
His family says he would not have understood instructions to stop.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...lestinian-israeli-police-200602111033532.html
Anger at killing of autistic Palestinian by Israeli police
There have been further protests in Israel over the shooting of an autistic Palestinian man by Israeli police.
Iyad el-Hallak, 32, was chased and killed in occupied East Jerusalem on Saturday.
Officers said they suspected he was carrying a gun and fired at him after he ran away when ordered to stop.
His family says he would not have understood instructions to stop.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...lestinian-israeli-police-200602111033532.html
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Some Israeli settlers hit out at Trump-backed annexation plan
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel’s intention to annex parts of the occupied West Bank is being challenged by Jewish settlers who might have been expected to cheer the plan promoted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu under a U.S. peace blueprint.
A month before the proposed expansion of Israeli jurisdiction is due to be discussed by Netanyahu’s new unity government, some settler leaders have resorted to rhetoric likely to embarrass him at the White House.
U.S. President Donald Trump and his top Middle East adviser Jared Kushner “are not friends of Israel”, David Elhayani, head of the umbrella Yesha settler council, told the liberal Haaretz newspaper.
For settler leaders like Elhayani, the peace plan Trump published in January - which includes Israel keeping most of its settlements in the West Bank - has a dangerous flip side.
Their worry - not echoed by all settlers - is that it could pave the way for the U.S. vision of Palestinian statehood in 70% of the West Bank, areas that would envelop some 15 settlements.
Palestinians reject the proposal as a blueprint for an unviable state. Even within Israel and Netanyahu’s coalition, support for annexation is lukewarm.
Accusing Elhayani of ingratitude, Netanyahu publicly commended Trump’s “unsurpassed friendship” towards Israel. A U.S. official briefed on Israel ties played down the flare-up.
Elhayani’s criticism of Trump marks a rare break between settlers and Evangelical Christians, an important constituency for the president in November’s U.S. election. Most world powers deem the settlements illegal.
Influential U.S. pastor John Hagee wrote in the Israel Hayom daily on Sunday that the “time is now” to fulfil the “masterful” plan’s promise of annexed biblical lands.
Elhayani suggested the proposal was designed to gain Trump votes, an idea rejected by a U.S. official.
“We try not to do things because they are popular or not. We do them because they’re right,” said the official.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...at-trump-backed-annexation-plan-idUSKBN23B1IX
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel’s intention to annex parts of the occupied West Bank is being challenged by Jewish settlers who might have been expected to cheer the plan promoted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu under a U.S. peace blueprint.
A month before the proposed expansion of Israeli jurisdiction is due to be discussed by Netanyahu’s new unity government, some settler leaders have resorted to rhetoric likely to embarrass him at the White House.
U.S. President Donald Trump and his top Middle East adviser Jared Kushner “are not friends of Israel”, David Elhayani, head of the umbrella Yesha settler council, told the liberal Haaretz newspaper.
For settler leaders like Elhayani, the peace plan Trump published in January - which includes Israel keeping most of its settlements in the West Bank - has a dangerous flip side.
Their worry - not echoed by all settlers - is that it could pave the way for the U.S. vision of Palestinian statehood in 70% of the West Bank, areas that would envelop some 15 settlements.
Palestinians reject the proposal as a blueprint for an unviable state. Even within Israel and Netanyahu’s coalition, support for annexation is lukewarm.
Accusing Elhayani of ingratitude, Netanyahu publicly commended Trump’s “unsurpassed friendship” towards Israel. A U.S. official briefed on Israel ties played down the flare-up.
Elhayani’s criticism of Trump marks a rare break between settlers and Evangelical Christians, an important constituency for the president in November’s U.S. election. Most world powers deem the settlements illegal.
Influential U.S. pastor John Hagee wrote in the Israel Hayom daily on Sunday that the “time is now” to fulfil the “masterful” plan’s promise of annexed biblical lands.
Elhayani suggested the proposal was designed to gain Trump votes, an idea rejected by a U.S. official.
“We try not to do things because they are popular or not. We do them because they’re right,” said the official.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...at-trump-backed-annexation-plan-idUSKBN23B1IX
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Several thousand Israelis demonstrated on Saturday in Tel Aviv against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to annex the Jordan Valley and illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The de facto annexation of occupied Palestinian land has prompted the Palestinian Authority to threaten it will withdraw from all agreements with Israel.
Protesting in face masks and keeping their distance from each other under coronavirus restrictions, the demonstrators gathered under a banner "No to annexation, no to occupation, yes to peace and democracy". Some waved Palestinian flags.
The protest was organised by left-wing groups and NGOs, and did not appear to have the support of the wider population.
Around half of Israelis support annexation, according to a recent opinion poll.
The organisers screened a video address by US Senator Bernie Sanders.
"It has never been more important to stand up for justice, and to fight for the future we all deserve," Sanders said. "It's up to all of us to stand up to authoritarian leaders and to build a peaceful future for every Palestinian and every Israeli."
The Palestinian Authority wants an independent state in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, territories Israel captured in a 1967 war.
Israeli forces withdrew from Gaza in 2005 but two years later it imposed a crippling land, air and sea blockade of the enclave that the head of the UN humanitarian chief has called an "open-air prison".
US President Donald Trump unveiled in January a Middle East plan that recognised Israeli sovereignty over settlements - considered illegal under international laws - in the occupied West Bank.
Trump said Israel would be granted security control of the Jordan Valley in the occupied West Bank, where dozens of illegal settlements have been built over decades.
In return, Palestinians would have their own demilitarised state with a capital in East Jerusalem.
As part of a recent agreement to form a coalition government with Benny Gantz, Netanyahu can submit the Trump plan to his cabinet and Parliament as early as July 1 for possible endorsement.
Netanyahu wants to annex parts of Jordan Valley and illegal settlements in the West Bank.
The plan also envisions the creation of a Palestinian state, but on reduced territory and without meeting a key Palestinian demand of having its capital in East Jerusalem.
Palestinians have rejected the proposal and voiced outrage against Israel's proposed annexation.
One demonstrator at the protest called for more solidarity between Palestinians and Israelis.
"In an apartheid reality there cannot be peace for us or them, nor can there be justice," a protester, identifying herself as Eden, told AFP news agency.
Warning of possible violence and diplomatic repercussions, some European and Arab states, together with the United Nations, have urged Israel not to go ahead with the annexation plan.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...ahu-plan-annex-west-bank-200607055609727.html
The de facto annexation of occupied Palestinian land has prompted the Palestinian Authority to threaten it will withdraw from all agreements with Israel.
Protesting in face masks and keeping their distance from each other under coronavirus restrictions, the demonstrators gathered under a banner "No to annexation, no to occupation, yes to peace and democracy". Some waved Palestinian flags.
The protest was organised by left-wing groups and NGOs, and did not appear to have the support of the wider population.
Around half of Israelis support annexation, according to a recent opinion poll.
The organisers screened a video address by US Senator Bernie Sanders.
"It has never been more important to stand up for justice, and to fight for the future we all deserve," Sanders said. "It's up to all of us to stand up to authoritarian leaders and to build a peaceful future for every Palestinian and every Israeli."
The Palestinian Authority wants an independent state in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, territories Israel captured in a 1967 war.
Israeli forces withdrew from Gaza in 2005 but two years later it imposed a crippling land, air and sea blockade of the enclave that the head of the UN humanitarian chief has called an "open-air prison".
US President Donald Trump unveiled in January a Middle East plan that recognised Israeli sovereignty over settlements - considered illegal under international laws - in the occupied West Bank.
Trump said Israel would be granted security control of the Jordan Valley in the occupied West Bank, where dozens of illegal settlements have been built over decades.
In return, Palestinians would have their own demilitarised state with a capital in East Jerusalem.
As part of a recent agreement to form a coalition government with Benny Gantz, Netanyahu can submit the Trump plan to his cabinet and Parliament as early as July 1 for possible endorsement.
Netanyahu wants to annex parts of Jordan Valley and illegal settlements in the West Bank.
The plan also envisions the creation of a Palestinian state, but on reduced territory and without meeting a key Palestinian demand of having its capital in East Jerusalem.
Palestinians have rejected the proposal and voiced outrage against Israel's proposed annexation.
One demonstrator at the protest called for more solidarity between Palestinians and Israelis.
"In an apartheid reality there cannot be peace for us or them, nor can there be justice," a protester, identifying herself as Eden, told AFP news agency.
Warning of possible violence and diplomatic repercussions, some European and Arab states, together with the United Nations, have urged Israel not to go ahead with the annexation plan.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...ahu-plan-annex-west-bank-200607055609727.html
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Palestinian PM: Israel must face consequences over planned West Bank annexations
RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - Israel must face consequences if it annexes land in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said on Tuesday, pointing to possible European sanctions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to extend sovereignty to Jewish settlements and the Jordan Valley in the West Bank, territory Israel took in the 1967 Middle East war and which Palestinians seek for a state.
Netanyahu’s new government is due to begin discussing the de facto annexation on July 1, but it is unclear whether Israel’s main ally, the United States, would greenlight the step.
The Palestinians have rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace blueprint, announced in January, under which most of the settlements Israel built would be incorporated into “contiguous Israeli territory”.
At a news conference, Shtayyeh said annexation would kill any possibility of peace with Israel and erode “the Palestinian, regional and international consensus” on a two-state solution.
He said Israel must now “feel the heat of international pressure”.
European states, Shtayyeh said, were debating “sanctions on Israel and freezing association agreements, as well as cancelling some research programmes” and “recognising Palestine” as a state in the West Bank and Gaza.
Most countries view Israel’s settlements on occupied land as illegal. Israel disputes this. Palestinians now exercise limited self-rule in parts of the West Bank while Palestinian Islamist group Hamas rules tiny Gaza.
But Shtayyeh said the 27-nation European Union’s consensus decision-making was “a bit complicated”, and one or two countries were not in line with others on the issue.
An EU spokesman in Jerusalem declined comment on Shtayyeh’s remarks but pointed to an earlier statement from EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell which said that annexation, “if implemented, could not pass unchallenged”.
Without giving details, Shtayyeh said the Palestinians submitted a counter-proposal to Trump’s plan to the Quartet of Middle East mediators - the United States, Russia, the European Union and United Nations.
The Palestinians have declared agreements with Israel void in protest against annexation. Shtayyeh said his government’s rejection of taxes collected by Israel on its behalf meant salaries would not be paid to some 130,000 public workers.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...r-planned-west-bank-annexations-idUSKBN23G1ZH
RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - Israel must face consequences if it annexes land in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said on Tuesday, pointing to possible European sanctions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to extend sovereignty to Jewish settlements and the Jordan Valley in the West Bank, territory Israel took in the 1967 Middle East war and which Palestinians seek for a state.
Netanyahu’s new government is due to begin discussing the de facto annexation on July 1, but it is unclear whether Israel’s main ally, the United States, would greenlight the step.
The Palestinians have rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace blueprint, announced in January, under which most of the settlements Israel built would be incorporated into “contiguous Israeli territory”.
At a news conference, Shtayyeh said annexation would kill any possibility of peace with Israel and erode “the Palestinian, regional and international consensus” on a two-state solution.
He said Israel must now “feel the heat of international pressure”.
European states, Shtayyeh said, were debating “sanctions on Israel and freezing association agreements, as well as cancelling some research programmes” and “recognising Palestine” as a state in the West Bank and Gaza.
Most countries view Israel’s settlements on occupied land as illegal. Israel disputes this. Palestinians now exercise limited self-rule in parts of the West Bank while Palestinian Islamist group Hamas rules tiny Gaza.
But Shtayyeh said the 27-nation European Union’s consensus decision-making was “a bit complicated”, and one or two countries were not in line with others on the issue.
An EU spokesman in Jerusalem declined comment on Shtayyeh’s remarks but pointed to an earlier statement from EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell which said that annexation, “if implemented, could not pass unchallenged”.
Without giving details, Shtayyeh said the Palestinians submitted a counter-proposal to Trump’s plan to the Quartet of Middle East mediators - the United States, Russia, the European Union and United Nations.
The Palestinians have declared agreements with Israel void in protest against annexation. Shtayyeh said his government’s rejection of taxes collected by Israel on its behalf meant salaries would not be paid to some 130,000 public workers.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...r-planned-west-bank-annexations-idUSKBN23G1ZH
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- Oct 2, 2004
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In a dramatic announcement designed to grab global attention, the Palestinian prime minister has vowed that he will declare independence for Palestine if Israel follows through on its threat to annex parts of the Palestinian Territories.
Speaking from his office in Ramallah to an audience of foreign media organisations, including Sky News, Mohammad Shtayyeh said that the Palestinian Authority would unilaterally declare an independent state along the 1967 partitions, with Jerusalem as its capital.
"If Israel is going to annex after July 1st, we are going to go from the interim period of the Palestinian Authority into the manifestation of a state on the ground. That is where we will be heading in the next phase. This authority cannot continue to be an authority without any authority," Mr Shtayyeh said.
"What does the manifestation of the state on the ground mean? It means that there will be a founding council, there will be a constitutional declaration, and Palestine will be on the borders of '67 with Jerusalem as its capital and we will call our international community to recognise this fact."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly threatened to apply Israeli sovereignty to Israeli-Jewish settlements which are within the geographical area of the West Bank.
More than 700,000 Israeli Jews now live in settlements, ranging from small village outposts to large city-like developments, on land allocated to Palestinians as part of the Oslo Peace Accords in 1993. The settlements are considered illegal under international law.
Mr Shtayyeh, educated in the UK and a veteran of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, said the design of the Oslo Accords was based on a process of "incrementalism" in which the Palestinian areas, including the West Bank and Gaza, would over time become a Palestinian state.
The Israeli encroachment into the Palestinian territory and the pledge now to apply Israeli sovereignty to settlements in that territory will cause irreparable damage to the peace process which began with the Oslo Accords, he said.
"This annexation is a total erosion of our aspirations. The annexation is a total erosion of the geographic place of the future Palestinian state," he said.
"And the world has to choose between international law and annexation and I am sure the international community will choose international law and not annexation.
"We cannot anymore make ourselves blind on this critical emerging reality. We have to wake up and face the moment of truth and I think we are awake and we are facing the moment of truth for us as Palestinian leadership and that is why nowhere on earth that we can live with this annexation."
In January, the Trump administration revealed the US president's so-called "deal of the century" plan for the region.
It controversially declared that the US government no longer considered the Israeli settlements to be incompatible with international law.
The Trump plan gave approval for the annexation of parts of the West Bank and in return, over time, proposed the creation of a Palestinian State - but only on 70% of West Bank land originally allocated for Palestinians under the Oslo Accords.
The plan proposed that Israel give over other uninhabited desert land in the far south of Israel to the Palestinians as a concession.
"This peace process has reached a serious impasse and frankly I think it's irreversible," Mr Shtayyeh said of the Trump plan and the subsequent annexation pledge.
But he added that the Palestinian Authority would "...continue to maintain law and order. We will not allow things to go into chaos under any circumstances. I think the other side of the coin is support for Palestine as well".
On Wednesday, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas will meet Mr Netanyahu in Jerusalem and urge him not to go ahead with the annexation plan.
Germany takes over the rotating presidencies of both the European Union and the United Nations in July putting it in a uniquely central role at a critical period.
Mr Maas will also hold talks with Mr Shtayyeh and President Mahmoud Abbas, though he was barred by Israel from entering the West Bank.
The Israeli government cited coronavirus restrictions, a reason without logic given that movement for those with travel permits or foreign passports is constant at checkpoints between the West Bank and Israel.
It's not at all clear quite how the annexation will look like on the ground. Mr Netanyahu has not revealed any details of the plan even to his own ministries or military who will need to deal with any fallout.
The Israeli parliament, the Knesset, will begin to discuss the issue on 1 July but Mr Netanyahu has this week hinted that he may push ahead with the application of sovereignty immediately after that date.
Mr Netanyahu's annexation pledge has proved to be unpopular with liberal Israelis who question the point of it, as well as with hardline settlers who do not think it goes far enough.
Settler organisations reject the Palestinian state element of the Trump plan, which they see as a concession.
Last month, the Palestinian Authority cut off all its security arrangements with their Israeli counterparts, and last week it officially nullified the provisions of the Oslo Accords.
The move means that financial and tax arrangements between Israel and the Palestinians have been cut and salaries are not being paid.
Mr Shtayyeh admitted that what he called "Israeli extortion attempts" to withhold tax transfers meant that the Palestinian economy "is getting worse", but he said he would "not haggle over our positions for money".
https://news.sky.com/story/palestin...7-border-if-israel-annexes-west-bank-12003868
Speaking from his office in Ramallah to an audience of foreign media organisations, including Sky News, Mohammad Shtayyeh said that the Palestinian Authority would unilaterally declare an independent state along the 1967 partitions, with Jerusalem as its capital.
"If Israel is going to annex after July 1st, we are going to go from the interim period of the Palestinian Authority into the manifestation of a state on the ground. That is where we will be heading in the next phase. This authority cannot continue to be an authority without any authority," Mr Shtayyeh said.
"What does the manifestation of the state on the ground mean? It means that there will be a founding council, there will be a constitutional declaration, and Palestine will be on the borders of '67 with Jerusalem as its capital and we will call our international community to recognise this fact."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly threatened to apply Israeli sovereignty to Israeli-Jewish settlements which are within the geographical area of the West Bank.
More than 700,000 Israeli Jews now live in settlements, ranging from small village outposts to large city-like developments, on land allocated to Palestinians as part of the Oslo Peace Accords in 1993. The settlements are considered illegal under international law.
Mr Shtayyeh, educated in the UK and a veteran of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, said the design of the Oslo Accords was based on a process of "incrementalism" in which the Palestinian areas, including the West Bank and Gaza, would over time become a Palestinian state.
The Israeli encroachment into the Palestinian territory and the pledge now to apply Israeli sovereignty to settlements in that territory will cause irreparable damage to the peace process which began with the Oslo Accords, he said.
"This annexation is a total erosion of our aspirations. The annexation is a total erosion of the geographic place of the future Palestinian state," he said.
"And the world has to choose between international law and annexation and I am sure the international community will choose international law and not annexation.
"We cannot anymore make ourselves blind on this critical emerging reality. We have to wake up and face the moment of truth and I think we are awake and we are facing the moment of truth for us as Palestinian leadership and that is why nowhere on earth that we can live with this annexation."
In January, the Trump administration revealed the US president's so-called "deal of the century" plan for the region.
It controversially declared that the US government no longer considered the Israeli settlements to be incompatible with international law.
The Trump plan gave approval for the annexation of parts of the West Bank and in return, over time, proposed the creation of a Palestinian State - but only on 70% of West Bank land originally allocated for Palestinians under the Oslo Accords.
The plan proposed that Israel give over other uninhabited desert land in the far south of Israel to the Palestinians as a concession.
"This peace process has reached a serious impasse and frankly I think it's irreversible," Mr Shtayyeh said of the Trump plan and the subsequent annexation pledge.
But he added that the Palestinian Authority would "...continue to maintain law and order. We will not allow things to go into chaos under any circumstances. I think the other side of the coin is support for Palestine as well".
On Wednesday, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas will meet Mr Netanyahu in Jerusalem and urge him not to go ahead with the annexation plan.
Germany takes over the rotating presidencies of both the European Union and the United Nations in July putting it in a uniquely central role at a critical period.
Mr Maas will also hold talks with Mr Shtayyeh and President Mahmoud Abbas, though he was barred by Israel from entering the West Bank.
The Israeli government cited coronavirus restrictions, a reason without logic given that movement for those with travel permits or foreign passports is constant at checkpoints between the West Bank and Israel.
It's not at all clear quite how the annexation will look like on the ground. Mr Netanyahu has not revealed any details of the plan even to his own ministries or military who will need to deal with any fallout.
The Israeli parliament, the Knesset, will begin to discuss the issue on 1 July but Mr Netanyahu has this week hinted that he may push ahead with the application of sovereignty immediately after that date.
Mr Netanyahu's annexation pledge has proved to be unpopular with liberal Israelis who question the point of it, as well as with hardline settlers who do not think it goes far enough.
Settler organisations reject the Palestinian state element of the Trump plan, which they see as a concession.
Last month, the Palestinian Authority cut off all its security arrangements with their Israeli counterparts, and last week it officially nullified the provisions of the Oslo Accords.
The move means that financial and tax arrangements between Israel and the Palestinians have been cut and salaries are not being paid.
Mr Shtayyeh admitted that what he called "Israeli extortion attempts" to withhold tax transfers meant that the Palestinian economy "is getting worse", but he said he would "not haggle over our positions for money".
https://news.sky.com/story/palestin...7-border-if-israel-annexes-west-bank-12003868
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- Oct 2, 2004
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Germany's Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has warned Israel that its plan to begin annexing parts of the occupied West Bank would violate international law, but he declined to say how Germany or Europe would respond.
Maas made the remarks during his visit to Jerusalem on Wednesday, just weeks before Israel intends to seize the areas of the Palestinian territory where illegal Israeli settlements are located, in line with a proposal by US President Donald Trump's that he dubbed a "Middle East plan".
Maas said Germany and the European Union "seek dialogue" with Israel. But he made clear that Europe considers annexation incompatible with international law.
"I have not set up any price tags. We are in agreement in the EU that we seek dialogue. Today, I am in Israel to be informed about the plans of the new government," Maas said.
Redrawing the map
The annexation plan has come under harsh criticism from some of Israel's closest allies, including Germany, who say that unilaterally redrawing the Middle East map would destroy any lingering hopes for establishing a Palestinian state and reaching a two-state peace agreement.
"Many people in Israel - and also in the European Union - are preoccupied with the current developments in the Middle East peace process and the possible annexation plans," Maas said prior to his departure.
"Germany remains committed to the goal of a negotiated two-state solution. We will also talk about this, and I will underline that we are ready to support all initiatives to revive talks between Israelis and Palestinians."
Germany, already a key European power broker, will be taking over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union and assuming the presidency of the UN Security Council next month.
After meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, Maas is also scheduled to consult with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz.
Later in the day, he will travel to neighbouring Jordan to meet his counterpart there and hold a conference call with Palestinian leaders.
The US proposal envisions bringing about one-third of the West Bank, which Israel captured in 1967, under permanent Israeli control, while granting the Palestinians expanded autonomy in the remainder of the territory.
The Palestinians, who seek all of the West Bank as part of an independent state, have rejected the plan, saying it overwhelmingly favours Israel.
In response, they have cut off key security ties with Israel and say they are no longer bound to agreements signed.
Maas made the remarks during his visit to Jerusalem on Wednesday, just weeks before Israel intends to seize the areas of the Palestinian territory where illegal Israeli settlements are located, in line with a proposal by US President Donald Trump's that he dubbed a "Middle East plan".
Maas said Germany and the European Union "seek dialogue" with Israel. But he made clear that Europe considers annexation incompatible with international law.
"I have not set up any price tags. We are in agreement in the EU that we seek dialogue. Today, I am in Israel to be informed about the plans of the new government," Maas said.
Redrawing the map
The annexation plan has come under harsh criticism from some of Israel's closest allies, including Germany, who say that unilaterally redrawing the Middle East map would destroy any lingering hopes for establishing a Palestinian state and reaching a two-state peace agreement.
"Many people in Israel - and also in the European Union - are preoccupied with the current developments in the Middle East peace process and the possible annexation plans," Maas said prior to his departure.
"Germany remains committed to the goal of a negotiated two-state solution. We will also talk about this, and I will underline that we are ready to support all initiatives to revive talks between Israelis and Palestinians."
Germany, already a key European power broker, will be taking over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union and assuming the presidency of the UN Security Council next month.
After meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, Maas is also scheduled to consult with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz.
Later in the day, he will travel to neighbouring Jordan to meet his counterpart there and hold a conference call with Palestinian leaders.
The US proposal envisions bringing about one-third of the West Bank, which Israel captured in 1967, under permanent Israeli control, while granting the Palestinians expanded autonomy in the remainder of the territory.
The Palestinians, who seek all of the West Bank as part of an independent state, have rejected the plan, saying it overwhelmingly favours Israel.
In response, they have cut off key security ties with Israel and say they are no longer bound to agreements signed.
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2015
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- 15,745
Exclusive: Israel builds new Jerusalem road that will link settlements as government weighs West Bank annexation
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Construction is under way on a major new ring road for Jerusalem that Israeli officials say will benefit all of its residents, but critics of the project say is another obstacle to Palestinian hopes to make East Jerusalem the capital of a future state.
The bypass, called The American Road, will connect Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank that are north and south of Jerusalem. The central and southern sections of the road are already being built, and tenders for the northernmost stretch – at a projected cost of $187 million – will be issued toward the end of the year, a Jerusalem municipality official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
In total, the project, which will run along or near the outer rim of East Jerusalem, is forecast to cost more than a quarter of a billion dollars. Israel annexed East Jerusalem, in a move that has not won international recognition, after capturing the area, along with the West Bank and Gaza Strip, in a 1967 war.
The construction comes as the Israeli government is set to begin cabinet-level discussions from July 1 about implementing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s election promise to annex Jewish settlements in the West Bank – a planned step that is sparking growing international criticism. Peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians broke down in 2014.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...ent-weighs-west-bank-annexation-idUSKBN23M1LM
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Construction is under way on a major new ring road for Jerusalem that Israeli officials say will benefit all of its residents, but critics of the project say is another obstacle to Palestinian hopes to make East Jerusalem the capital of a future state.
The bypass, called The American Road, will connect Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank that are north and south of Jerusalem. The central and southern sections of the road are already being built, and tenders for the northernmost stretch – at a projected cost of $187 million – will be issued toward the end of the year, a Jerusalem municipality official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
In total, the project, which will run along or near the outer rim of East Jerusalem, is forecast to cost more than a quarter of a billion dollars. Israel annexed East Jerusalem, in a move that has not won international recognition, after capturing the area, along with the West Bank and Gaza Strip, in a 1967 war.
The construction comes as the Israeli government is set to begin cabinet-level discussions from July 1 about implementing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s election promise to annex Jewish settlements in the West Bank – a planned step that is sparking growing international criticism. Peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians broke down in 2014.
Israeli officials say the road, which will include a 1.6 kilometre (one mile) tunnel east of the Mount of Olives, will ease traffic congestion for both Israelis and Palestinians living in the area.
“It doesn’t unite the settlements. It’s not about uniting borders or municipal lines,” said Arieh King, a Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem and a leading figure in the city’s settler movement. “But it does connect them more on the daily level - whether it’s studies, tourism or commerce. And then in practice you create a huge Jerusalem metropolis.”
Palestinians say the new road will primarily benefit settlers, and will further undermine the feasibility of East Jerusalem as the capital of the state they seek in the West Bank and Gaza.
“This project cuts off Palestinian neighborhoods within the city from one another,” Fadi Al-Hidmi, the Palestinian Minister of Jerusalem Affairs, said via email. Responding to questions from Reuters, Al-Hidmi said The American Road was part of Israel’s “illegal” ring road project, which “surrounds occupied East Jerusalem to further connect Israeli settlements and sever the occupied Palestinian capital from the rest of the West Bank.”
Israel’s West Bank settlements were built by successive governments on land captured in the 1967 war. More than 400,000 Israelis now live there, with another 200,000 in East Jerusalem. Palestinians say the settlements make a future state unviable, and most of the world views them as illegal under international law. Israel disputes this, citing its security needs and biblical and historical ties to the land on which they are built.
King said the highway would be a “significant corridor” from the Gush Etzion settlement bloc in the southern West Bank and settlements such as Har Homa south of the city centre, to settlements to the north and east of Jerusalem, including Maale Adumim, which is home to more than 40,000 people.
Arab residents in East Jerusalem neighbourhoods such as Umm Tuba and Sur Baher would also benefit, he said, because it would reduce their travel times.
Israel’s transport ministry directed questions to the Jerusalem municipality.
Daniel Seidemann, an Israeli attorney who represented some Palestinian families affected by the construction, told Reuters the bypass fitted into a long-time strategy by Israel of using infrastructure projects to secure “de facto annexation” of territory.
“What we are seeing here is, again, the seamless integration of the northern West Bank, East Jerusalem under sole Israeli control, and the southern West Bank for the purposes of the settlers,” said Seidemann, who specialises in the geopolitics of Jerusalem. “That is the motivation, and the fact that it will benefit a Palestinian East Jerusalemite somewhat is collateral spinoff, but not more than that.”
Planning documents reviewed by Reuters and visits to the area to plot the route show the road will run for more than eight kilometres (five miles). Dozens of Palestinians living along the route of The American Road pointed to such factors as the scope of the construction and the proximity of the highway’s northern and southern ends to major settlements as evidence that the bypass was designed primarily for settlers.
The scale of The American Road project, named after a decades-old narrow road that winds through southeast Jerusalem, is evident some four kilometres from the city centre, where a huge bridge is rising in a remote valley. The grey edifice, which can’t be seen from outside the valley, towers over the rural landscape. At the site, cement-mixers rumble through the hill-hugging Palestinian neighbourhoods of Sur Baher and Jabal al-Mukabar toward the 230-metre-long structure.
Billboards advertise an August 2021 completion date for a section of The American Road nearest Har Homa, the settlement built by Netanyahu in the 1990s that overlooks the Palestinian town of Bethlehem.
“We lived in a paradise, and now we will live under a highway,” said Khader Attoun, whose house looks directly over the bridge. “Israel wants to squeeze us out of our land and confine us to our tiny homes, to let settlers drive on highways through the valley of our ancestors.”
“It doesn’t unite the settlements. It’s not about uniting borders or municipal lines,” said Arieh King, a Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem and a leading figure in the city’s settler movement. “But it does connect them more on the daily level - whether it’s studies, tourism or commerce. And then in practice you create a huge Jerusalem metropolis.”
Palestinians say the new road will primarily benefit settlers, and will further undermine the feasibility of East Jerusalem as the capital of the state they seek in the West Bank and Gaza.
“This project cuts off Palestinian neighborhoods within the city from one another,” Fadi Al-Hidmi, the Palestinian Minister of Jerusalem Affairs, said via email. Responding to questions from Reuters, Al-Hidmi said The American Road was part of Israel’s “illegal” ring road project, which “surrounds occupied East Jerusalem to further connect Israeli settlements and sever the occupied Palestinian capital from the rest of the West Bank.”
Israel’s West Bank settlements were built by successive governments on land captured in the 1967 war. More than 400,000 Israelis now live there, with another 200,000 in East Jerusalem. Palestinians say the settlements make a future state unviable, and most of the world views them as illegal under international law. Israel disputes this, citing its security needs and biblical and historical ties to the land on which they are built.
King said the highway would be a “significant corridor” from the Gush Etzion settlement bloc in the southern West Bank and settlements such as Har Homa south of the city centre, to settlements to the north and east of Jerusalem, including Maale Adumim, which is home to more than 40,000 people.
Arab residents in East Jerusalem neighbourhoods such as Umm Tuba and Sur Baher would also benefit, he said, because it would reduce their travel times.
Israel’s transport ministry directed questions to the Jerusalem municipality.
Daniel Seidemann, an Israeli attorney who represented some Palestinian families affected by the construction, told Reuters the bypass fitted into a long-time strategy by Israel of using infrastructure projects to secure “de facto annexation” of territory.
“What we are seeing here is, again, the seamless integration of the northern West Bank, East Jerusalem under sole Israeli control, and the southern West Bank for the purposes of the settlers,” said Seidemann, who specialises in the geopolitics of Jerusalem. “That is the motivation, and the fact that it will benefit a Palestinian East Jerusalemite somewhat is collateral spinoff, but not more than that.”
Planning documents reviewed by Reuters and visits to the area to plot the route show the road will run for more than eight kilometres (five miles). Dozens of Palestinians living along the route of The American Road pointed to such factors as the scope of the construction and the proximity of the highway’s northern and southern ends to major settlements as evidence that the bypass was designed primarily for settlers.
The scale of The American Road project, named after a decades-old narrow road that winds through southeast Jerusalem, is evident some four kilometres from the city centre, where a huge bridge is rising in a remote valley. The grey edifice, which can’t be seen from outside the valley, towers over the rural landscape. At the site, cement-mixers rumble through the hill-hugging Palestinian neighbourhoods of Sur Baher and Jabal al-Mukabar toward the 230-metre-long structure.
Billboards advertise an August 2021 completion date for a section of The American Road nearest Har Homa, the settlement built by Netanyahu in the 1990s that overlooks the Palestinian town of Bethlehem.
“We lived in a paradise, and now we will live under a highway,” said Khader Attoun, whose house looks directly over the bridge. “Israel wants to squeeze us out of our land and confine us to our tiny homes, to let settlers drive on highways through the valley of our ancestors.”
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