Statement on the West Bank “de facto” annexation

Tomorrow, the Board of Peace chaired by the US President will convene its first meeting in Washington without a Palestinian representation.

At the same time, more than 80 United Nations member states condemned the Israeli government plan to expand control and claim as “state property “large tracts of territory in the occupied West Bank - a move that Palestinians have described as “de facto annexation”.

As stated by extreme right members of the Israeli government, this decision has been taken to increase settlements and make annexation a legal reality. It would also lead to further fragmentation of the Palestinian territory.

The Socialist International has repeatedly declared that this kind of unilateral decision seriously impedes all efforts for promoting a peaceful and secure coexistence between Palestinians and Israelis.

The constant change of the situation on the ground in favour of the most extremist plans for the region and the unpunished unlawful behaviour of Israeli settlers cannot be accepted.

And it must be clear that peace and security in the region cannot be achieved without the Palestinians.

We are in full solidarity with all forces in Palestine and Israel that work with great courage for an agreed framework leading to a viable two states solution.