Pakistan rejects Israel’s plan to annex West Bank

Foreign Office spokesperson, lawmakers, politicians decry Tel Aviv’s illegal proposals

ISLAMABAD/KARACHI:

The foreign affairs ministry, lawmakers, and politicians have unanimously rejected Israel’s plans to annex the Jordan valley, and all settlement blocs in West Bank.

“Pakistan has a principled consistent position on Palestine. We view Israel’s coalition government proposal of “annexation” of the West Bank with grave concern,” Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui, told Anadolu Agency.

Islamabad, she said, was opposed to 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.

“Pakistan supports the position adopted by the UN and the OIC on the issue of Palestine, and calls upon the international community to uphold and support the rights of the Palestinians. We reiterate our consistent support for the two-state solution of the Palestine issue as enshrined in the relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions,” she added.

“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.”

Separately, at a meeting with a delegation of Palestine Foundation Pakistan in the capital Islamabad, Senate Deputy Chairman Saleem Mandviwalla said that Pakistan could not stay silent over Israel’s planned move, and would continue to support the Palestine cause.

Mandviwalla said the “Zionist lobby” had been a major hurdle in the way of a peaceful solution of the Palestine issue. “A large number of Jews living in different parts of the world distinguish themselves from Zionists,” he said.

Senator Sirajul Haq, the chief of the Jamaat-e-Islami, said the Muslim world has already rejected Israel’s annexation plan to occupy Palestinian lands on the pretext of so-called “Deal of the Century.” The move, Haq warned in a statement, would further destroy all hopes for peace in the Middle East.

“The US-Israel plan to extend [Tel Aviv’s] illegal settlements would be a violation of international law,” Haq said, appreciating Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan “who has always raised voice for Palestinians and Kashmiris.”

“The silence of the Muslim world has actually encouraged Israel to kill Palestinians and displacing them from their homes, and hearths,” he said. “Palestinians have been facing state-sponsored terrorism for over the last seven decades but world powers are silent over Israeli atrocities, and violation of international human rights.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced he would begin with the annexation early July. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the UN, and EU among many other countries have also called on Israel to scrap its plans.