German Foreign Minister: Israel’s annexation of parts of the West Bank violates international law
Xinhua News Agency, Jerusalem, June 10 (Reporter Shang Hao Chen Wenxian) German Foreign Minister Maas stated in Jerusalem on the 10th that Israel’s plan to annex some parts of the West Bank from July 1 violates international law, and Germany still supports the “two-state plan "Solve the Palestinian-Israeli problem.
Mas visited Israel on the 10th and held a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi in Jerusalem. Mas reiterated Germany’s position on the Palestinian-Israeli issue that day, and said Germany was concerned about the consequences of Israel’s possible annexation of parts of the West Bank. He said that Germany is still committed to resolving the Palestinian-Israeli issue through negotiations and supports all initiatives aimed at promoting dialogue between Palestine and Israel. His visit was to further understand Israel's plans, but he refused to disclose how Germany or the EU would respond.
Ashkenazi said that Israel has not "made any decision" on annexing parts of the West Bank and called on Germany to respond after Israel decides.
According to Israeli media reports, Mas will also visit Jordan on this trip and hold a conference call with Palestinian leaders. Some analysts believe that Germany will take over the EU’s rotating presidency on July 1. The visit of Mas aims to convey European opposition to Israel’s annexation plan.
On April 20th, the two major Israeli political parties Likud and the Blue and White Party signed a joint government agreement, which contains a clause that will start the annexation of parts of the West Bank from July 1st.
In response to Israel’s plan to annex the occupied Palestinian territories, leaders of the Palestinian political parties held an emergency meeting on May 19. Pakistani President Abbas said in a speech after the meeting that from now on, Palestine ceased to fulfill all agreements reached with the United States and Israel, as well as all obligations based on these agreements, including security obligations.
Israel occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem in the third war in the Middle East in 1967, and then began to build Jewish settlements in these two places. Palestine insisted on the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the borders before the 1967 war and with East Jerusalem as its capital.