Daily US Times: United Nations and Arab League called on Israel to drop its annexation plans to parts of the occupied West Bank and Jordan Valley. United Nations chief Antonio Guterres has described Israel’s plans as a “watershed moment” that will constitute a “most serious violation of international law”.

On Wednesday, Guterres repeated a call for Israel to drop its United States-backed plans while addressing a virtual meeting of the UN Security Council. Israel’s annexation plan could be put in motion as soon as next week.

The UN secretary-general said if the annexation plan is implemented, it would “grievously harm the prospect of a two-state solution and undercut the possibilities of a renewal of negotiations”.

“I call on the Israeli government to abandon its annexation plans,” he said.

The UN chief’s call was echoed by other leaders and foreign ministers addressing the virtual meeting. They warned that Israel’s unilateral action could trigger a major escalation in the region.

Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit said: “For three decades, real peace and the creation of an independent Palestinian state, remain elusive … Despair is dominating the Palestinian mood and scene.”

Wednesday’s meeting is seen as the last international call before the annexation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing government starts planned discussions on July 1 over the annexation of the West Bank. Israel captured the territory in the 1967 war and Palestinian leaders seek for a future state in that territory.

Nickolay Mladenov, the UN peace envoy for the Middle East, warned of the legal, economic and security implications of such a move.

He said: “Annexation could irrevocably alter the relation of Israeli-Palestinian relations. It risks upending a quarter of a century of international efforts and support of a future viable Palestinian state.”

“Today, we are further than ever from this goal [of a two-state-solution].”

More than 1,000 parliamentarians from 25 European countries signed a letter on Wednesday denouncing Israel’s plans, urging their leaders to prevent the annexation process and save the prospects of a two-state solution.

Riyad al-Malki, Palestinian Foreign Minister, warned any annexation would be a “crime” and lead to immediate and tangible repercussions.

He said, for decades Israel’s objective has been to grab “maximum Palestinian land, with minimum Palestinians”.

Al-Malki told the council: “Israel is testing the resolve of the international community, thinking that its colonial apartheid will prevail … We must prove it wrong.” He also called on the international community to impose sanctions against Israel to deter its plans.

Seven European nations – Britain, France, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Belgium and Norway – in a joint statement warned annexation would “severely undermine” prospects for resuming the Middle East peace process.

“Under international law, annexation would have consequences for our close relationship with Israel and would not be recognized by us,” they warned in the statement.

Trump’s plan

On Wednesday, Mike Pompeo said that extending Israeli sovereignty was a decision “for Israelis to make”. It was expected that the US will give Netanyahu the official green light for his plan.

Mr Pompeo’s comments came as US Ambassador to the UN Kelly Craft told the council: “I understand that many of you have concerns with this issue of the potential extension of Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank … At the same time, we ask that you also hold the Palestinian leadership accountable for acts they are responsible for.”

US President Donald Trump’s so-called “Middle East plan” – which was unveiled in late January – strongly favors Israel and was rejected by the Palestinians. The plan gives Israel the green light to annex Israeli settlements and strategic areas of the occupied West Bank.

The West Bank – including occupied East Jerusalem which Palestinian leaders want as the capital of their future state – is seen as occupied territory under international law, making all Jewish settlements there – as well as the planned annexation – illegal.

Palestinian officials have threatened to abolish bilateral agreements with Israel if it went ahead with annexation plan.

Trump’s plan foresees the eventual creation of a demilitarised Palestinian state on the remaining patchwork of disjointed parts of the Palestinian territories without East Jerusalem.

Anger has also surged among Palestinians following the deadly shooting of two Palestinians by Israeli soldiers this week.

While Palestinians on the street do not have faith in the international community, Palestinian officials are committed to peacefully ending the Israeli occupation.

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