Hamas Calls for 'Massive' Popular Revolution Against Annexation Plan

Arab World

June 24th, 7:32am

Ramallah - Asharq Al-Awsat

Attendees at the Jericho rally (Wafa)

Hamas has called for launched a popular revelation everywhere to thwart Israel’s unilateral plan to annex parts of the West Bank and Jordan Valley. This came as Hamas-affiliated newspaper said that al-Qassam Brigades, the group’s military arm, will hold a press conference soon to announce its next step against the plan to “occupy large parts of the West Bank.” The statement indicated that Israel’s plan to steal the Palestinian land is an extension of the conspiracy which began during Nakba 1948, and continued with the disastrous Oslo agreement. It warned that unless the Palestinian people and the people of the whole nation make a move against this plot, the consequences will be dire for the entire region. Tel Aviv fears the situation could escalate in the Gaza Strip and possibly in the West Bank, and worries that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is trying to drag Hamas to clash with Israel. Sources said that the cessation of security and civil coordination may harm salaries as well as transportation and goods exchange to and from Gaza, however, it may also lead to an escalation in the already-tense Gaza. Israeli security forces are concerned that an escalation in the Strip could be paralleled by an uprising in the West Bank. The Fatah movement in the West Bank launched a series of popular activities, starting with the Jericho rally in the Jordan Valley. Hundreds of Palestinians and a number of representatives of the international community gathered in Jericho as part of the popular activities to reject and protest Israel’s annexation plans. Meanwhile, PA Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said that the participation of foreign dignitaries in the Jericho rally “carries many implications and messages for the Israeli side.” In an interview with Voice of Palestine Radio, Maliki added that the presence of the international community at the rally is a clear message that it is against the annexation. Maliki indicated that the “mass rally was tantamount to an international consensus against the annexation plan.” The PA hoped that the international position would lead Israel to abort its plans, warning of the consequences otherwise, including the dissolution of the Authority itself. Fatah warned that if Israel goes ahead with its plans, then a new stage of resistance will be launched, hinting at armed resistance. In April, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz signed a coalition agreement that includes a clause to advance plans to annex parts of the West Bank, including Israeli settlements, starting on July 1.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2351546/hamas-calls-massive-popular-revolution-against-annexation-plan