UN warns of plans to annex West Bank territories

European diplomats, sitting on the Security Council, reminded Israel of the merits of the borders drawn in 1967, and warned it that any annexation of territories in the West Bank would be sanctioned. AFP / Emmanuel Dunand

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On May 20, Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority, warned that he could end security cooperation with Israel. And that, three days after the appointment of a new union government which will have to decide by July 1 on the implementation of the plan proposed by Washington. European diplomats, sitting on the Security Council, reminded Israel of the merits of the borders drawn in 1967, and warned it that any annexation would be sanctioned.

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Still confined, it is by simultaneous videoconference that the 5 Estonian, German, Belgian, French and Polish ambassadors, who sit or have just sat on the Security Council, made a point of addressing the new Israeli government, reports our correspondent in New -York , Carrie Nooten . Briefed earlier by the relatively pessimistic UN envoy for the Middle East, who expects Israeli annexations , the heads of delegations reiterated that the two-state solution was the only solution to guarantee regional stability .

"  We strongly advise Israel not to take a unilateral decision which would lead to the annexation of any occupied Palestinian territory. And which, as it stands, is contrary to international law  , ”explains Marc Pecsteen, the Belgian ambassador.

Any annexation, even with the support of the United States, would force the Security Council to react with a resolution, according to some diplomats, who also recall that the two-state solution has been recognized by another Republican administration in the past. , that of George Bush in 2004. The UN envoy, Nickolay Mladenov, asked him that the quartet, composed of the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations, reform and resume the head of negotiations.

In Europe, joint prevention and response action

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian also spoke on this subject on Wednesday May 20. In his view, the entry into office of this government represents a threat of a partial annexation of the West Bank in the short term, as foreseen by the Trump plan . An extremely damaging decision, unacceptable for France. Jean-Yves Le Drian said that Europe was preparing for joint action on this subject.

“  We are working with our European colleagues, Italy, Germany, Spain, plus a few affinity member states such as Luxembourg and Ireland, to achieve joint action. I cannot yet tell you how we are going to do it, but we are working together for a common prevention and possibly response action if by chance this annexation decision is taken.  "

The Minister of Foreign Affairs also specifies that contact has been made with the Arab countries, in particular Jordan and Egypt, countries which have signed the peace agreements with Israel. This is so that they themselves can send messages to the Israeli government.

"  Besides, we also have contacts with the Palestinian authorities because we can only do that with the Palestinians. We want everyone to get back to the table.  "

Read also: West Bank: warnings multiply against the plan to annex Israel

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  • Israel
  • Palestinian territories
  • Mahmoud Abbas
  • UN

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