On Wednesday, Israel’s Minister of Justice, Yariv Levin, called for the annexation of the occupied West Bank during a meeting with the settler leader, Yossi Dagan, the head of the Samaria Regional Council.
The Times of Israel reported that Levin stated that, “The time for sovereignty has come, the time to apply sovereignty,” proclaiming that “this period, beyond the current issues, is a time of historic opportunity that we must not miss,” adding that the issue should be “at the top of the priority list.”
“I think it is both realistic and possible,” Levin stated, adding that “it is essential, first of all, to realize our right to the land. Certainly to contribute to security, and to do justice to the settlers and the settlement [movement] who deserve to be equal citizens in every respect who live in settlements that are part of the fully sovereign State of Israel.”
The Israeli Justice Minister’s comment threatening to annex the occupied West Bank drew widespread criticism from Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.
In response, the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates issued a statement on Wednesday, condemning the statement by Levin, calling for Israel’s annexation of the occupied West Bank.
The Ministry asserted that Levin’s statement constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and Israel’s obligations as the occupying power in the Palestinian territories, adding that it is a violation of the right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent, sovereign state on the borders of June 4, 1967, with occupied Jerusalem as its capital.
Presidential spokesman, Nabil Abu Rudeineh said, on Wednesday, that the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas rejected the remarks concerning the imposition of Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank, adding that they contradict international legitimacy resolutions and international law.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry opposed Levin’s declaration violates international law and reveals the Israeli intention to secure the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory and undermine the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemned, on Thursday, the Israeli intimation of the occupation’s intent to impose sovereignty over the West Bank. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed its full support of the Palestinian people, and its absolute rejection of any attempts to impose sovereignty or expand settlements on Palestinian land.
In a statement, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the Israeli declaration, and added that Kuwait maintains its position in support of the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
Cover photo: Ayman Nobani/AP IMAGES
