Annexing Jordan Valley to Establish New Phase of Instability, PA Says

Arab World

January 23rd, 9:10am

Ramallah - Kifah Zboun

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas walks with Governor-General of Australia David Hurley during a reception ceremony in Ramallah January 22, 2020. AFP

Palestinian officials have warned that any Israeli decision to annex the Jordan Valley and settlements in the West Bank means a return to square one and an entirely new stage with repercussions on the entire region. Palestinian Minister of Civil Affairs Hussein al-Sheikh warned that “any Israeli decision to annex the Jordan Valley and settlements will violate all bilateral agreements signed earlier.” His remarks followed statements by the Palestinian presidency slamming both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his chief rival, Benny Gantz, on Tuesday over comments they made pledging Israeli sovereignty over the Jordan Valley. “Such statements totally undermine the foundations of the peace process — sending the region into a dangerous new phase of conflict and instability,” Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s office said. Abbas has previously stated that if Israel applies sovereignty over the Jordan Valley, the Palestinians would cancel all of their agreements with Israel. His office also called on the international community “to stand firmly against these Israeli positions that threaten security, stability and world peace.” The issue was part of the election race between head of Kahol Lavan party (Blue and White) Gantz and Netanyahu. Gantz invited his rival to join him in applying Israeli sovereignty over the Jordan Valley. He had earlier promised to apply sovereignty over the territory “in coordination with the international community.” “The region which constitutes 20 percent of the West Bank will remain part of the Jewish state within the framework of any future peace agreement,” Gantz said, in what appeared to be an attempt to attract voters from the right. He stressed that previous governments that showed willingness to negotiate the strategic area were “wrong.” Netanyahu, for his part, vowed on Tuesday evening to apply sovereignty over the Jordan Valley as well as every settlement in the West Bank “without exception.” Since September, he has frequently said that if he succeeds in forming a new government, he will annex the area. These electoral bids have angered Palestinians. Fatah movement's spokesman and member of its Revolutionary Council Osama al-Qawasmi said any Israeli decision to annex a part of the occupied West Bank means returning to square one. In a press statement on Wednesday, Qawasmi stressed that Israel is to be held accountable for the consequences of such step. The movement has urged the United Nations, Russia, China, the European Union, and Arab and Islamic countries to take immediate action to prevent Israel from implementing this plan.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2095941/annexing-jordan-valley-establish-new-phase-instability-pa-says