Harare, (New Ziana)— The Palestinian Presidency on Sunday strongly condemned decisions approved by the Israeli cabinet that it said aim to deepen the annexation of the occupied West Bank, warning that the moves mark a dangerous escalation against the Palestinian people and their national and historical rights.
In a statement, Palestinian ambassador to Zimbabwe Dr Tamer Almassri said the Presidency described the decisions as part of what it called a comprehensive war being waged by the Israeli government against Palestinians, particularly in the occupied West Bank.
”The Presidency warned of the grave implications of these decisions, which represent the practical implementation of annexation and displacement plans.
“These decisions also violate all agreements signed between the Palestine Liberation Organization and Israel, as well as international law and resolutions of international legitimacy, and constitute a blatant violation of the Oslo Accords and the Hebron Agreement,” said the ambassador.
According to the statement, the decisions reflect what it described as an open attempt by Israel to legalize settlement expansion, land confiscation, and the demolition of Palestinian properties, including in areas that fall under Palestinian sovereignty.
The Presidency, said Almassri also raised alarm over any infringement on Islamic and Christian holy sites, emphasizing that any violation of the Ibrahimi Mosque or transfer of authority over it is unacceptable.
It held Israel, as the occupying power, fully responsible for continued attacks on holy sites, warning that such actions are aimed at provoking tensions, especially with the approach of the holy month of Ramadan.
Reiterating its position, Almassri said the Presidency declared the Israeli decisions illegitimate, illegal, and null and void, stating that they carry no legal consequences.
It underscored that international law rejects settlement activity, annexation attempts, and the displacement of Palestinians under any pretext.
”It called upon the international community, particularly the Security Council and the U.S administration, to intervene immediately and take decisive action to halt these dangerous Israeli decisions, which threaten all international efforts to de-escalate tensions and prevent further escalation in the region,” he said.
The ambassador said the Presidency affirmed that the Palestinian people and their legitimate leadership, represented by the PLO, will continue to defend their land and rights, adding that Palestinians will not allow these plans to pass and reiterated that the State of Palestine will be realized as a free, independent, and fully sovereign state in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which it described as the eternal capital of the State of Palestine.
