European Union Urges Israel to Reverse Illegal Annexation Decision in the West Bank
Istanbul (ANTARA) - The European Union on Monday called on Israel to reverse its recent decision to register large parts of the West Bank as "state land," warning that annexation is illegal.
Spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said at the European Commission's midday press conference that Israel's latest decision to approve the launch of a land registration process in Area C of the West Bank "constitutes a new escalation, following recent measures that were also aimed at expanding Israeli control in Areas A and B."
"We remind that annexation is illegal under international law. And we call on Israel to reverse this decision, which could also undermine the viability of the two-state solution," El Anouni stressed.
On Sunday, the Israeli government approved a proposal to register Palestinian land in the West Bank as "state land," marking the first time such formal legal action has been applied in territory under Israeli control.
Israel's public broadcaster reported that the proposal was put forward by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, and Defence Minister Israel Katz.
Channel 7 reported that the move includes the reopening of previously frozen land registration procedures, the repeal of longstanding Jordanian-era laws, and the disclosure of land ownership records that had been classified for decades.
Palestinians view the policy as a precursor to the formal annexation of the West Bank and a step towards the de facto annexation of most of the territory, which they say would destroy the framework of the UN-backed two-state solution.
Source: Anadolu
Spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said at the European Commission's midday press conference that Israel's latest decision to approve the launch of a land registration process in Area C of the West Bank "constitutes a new escalation, following recent measures that were also aimed at expanding Israeli control in Areas A and B."
"We remind that annexation is illegal under international law. And we call on Israel to reverse this decision, which could also undermine the viability of the two-state solution," El Anouni stressed.
On Sunday, the Israeli government approved a proposal to register Palestinian land in the West Bank as "state land," marking the first time such formal legal action has been applied in territory under Israeli control.
Israel's public broadcaster reported that the proposal was put forward by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, and Defence Minister Israel Katz.
Channel 7 reported that the move includes the reopening of previously frozen land registration procedures, the repeal of longstanding Jordanian-era laws, and the disclosure of land ownership records that had been classified for decades.
Palestinians view the policy as a precursor to the formal annexation of the West Bank and a step towards the de facto annexation of most of the territory, which they say would destroy the framework of the UN-backed two-state solution.
Source: Anadolu