Germany Warns Israel against West Bank Annexation Plans

Arab World

June 10th, 5:08pm

Asharq Al-Awsat

Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi (R) and his German counterpart Heiko Maas greet each other during their meeting in Jerusalem June 10, 2020. (Reuters)

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas warned on Wednesday Israel that its plan to begin annexing parts of the West Bank would violate international law, but he stopped short of threatening sanctions. Maas was speaking on a visit to Israel one month before Berlin assumes the European Union presidency, a role which gives it great influence in guiding EU policy. It was his first trip outside of Europe since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. Israel’s new unity government next month intends to begin discussing extending sovereignty to its settlements in occupied land that Palestinians claim for an envisaged independent state. The plan has been criticized by Arab and European powers as likely to finish off long-moribund efforts to make peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Israel says annexation would be in keeping with a unilateral plan announced by US President Donald Trump in January. “I repeated here today the German position as well as our serious concerns as a special friend of Israel of the possible consequences of such a step,” Maas told reporters alongside his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi. “We still believe the negotiated two-state solution is the right way, that annexation will not make this solution more probable.” “We are also in agreement in the EU that we seek dialogue with all parties to this process. I am here in Israel to receive information about the plans of the new government,” Maas continued. Ashkenazi, a former military chief who recently assumed his post with the establishment of a new Israeli government, claimed the Trump plan has its upsides and presents an opportunity. "The plan will be pursued responsibly," he said. “We intend to do it in a dialogue with our neighbors," mentioning Jordan, among others. Maas also met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz. Netanyahu's office said the prime minister told Maas that “any realistic plan needs to recognize the reality of Israeli settlement on the ground, and not nurture the illusion of uprooting people from their homes.” It made no direct mention of annexation. But it said Netanyahu spoke of ensuring Israel’s “vital interests”, such as maintaining “full security control” over the West Bank. Maas planned to travel from Israel to Amman later for separate talks with Jordanian officials and Palestinian leaders. The European Union has made clear that it is opposed to annexation and considers it illegal under international law. For now, diplomats are trying to engage Israeli officials and convey the message that unilateral annexation would have negative repercussions on relations. They have not indicated how the EU might respond.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2327636/germany-warns-israel-against-west-bank-annexation-plans