Pakistan takes stand against Israeli West Bank annexation

West Bank and Jordan Valley are Palestinian territories illegally occupied by Israel since 1967, says FO

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan strongly opposes any Israeli move to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, waning that such a move would threaten peace and security in the region, the Foreign Office said.

During a weekly briefing late Thursday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Aisha Farooqui said any annexation of the occupied Palestinian territories would be a serious violation of international law and a dangerous escalation in an already volatile situation.

"The West Bank and Jordan Valley are Palestinian territories, illegally occupied by Israel since 1967,” she said.

“Pakistan supports the position adopted by the UN and OIC [Organisation of Islamic Cooperation] on the issue of Palestine and calls on the international community to uphold and support the rights of the Palestinians."

She reiterated Islamabad's support for a two-state solution of the Palestinian issue under the relevant UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions.

Pompeo gives Israel green light to annex land in West Bank

"Pakistan renews its call for establishment of a viable, independent and contiguous state of Palestine, on the basis of internationally-agreed parameters, the pre-1967 borders, and with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital," Farooqui added, referring to Jerusalem.

Pointing to the similarity between the Palestine issue and the disputed Kashmir region, she said in both cases occupying forces violate human rights, alter the demographic structure, and pose a threat to peace and security. "Both these situations are worsening and call for urgent attention of the international community.'

Israel is expected to carry out West Bank annexation on July 1, as agreed to between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White party head Benny Gantz.

Palestinian officials have threatened to abolish bilateral agreements with Israel if it goes ahead with the annexation plans, which will undermine the two-state solution.

US President Donald Trump’s so-called "deal of the century" plan, announced on January 28, refers to Jerusalem as “Israel’s undivided capital” and recognizes Israeli sovereignty over large parts of the West Bank.

The plan includes the establishment of a highly fragmented Palestinian state connected by bridges and tunnels.

Palestinian officials say that under the US plan, Israel would annex 30-40% of the West Bank, including all of East Jerusalem, seen as the capital of a future Palestinian state.

The plan has drawn widespread criticism from the Arab world and was rejected by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which urged "all member states not to engage with this plan or to cooperate with the US administration in implementing it in any form".