PA Says Israel Is Going Ahead With Annexation Plans

Arab World

March 3rd, 8:47am

Ramallah - Asharq Al-Awsat

Palestinians confronting Israeli forces who were preparing to demolish their home in Yatta, south of Hebron, on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 (AFP)

The Palestinian Authority has rejected all forms, methods and measures taken by the Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territory, demanding clearer and firmer positions by the United Nations (UN). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates said Israelis are trying to annex more Palestinian lands using different forms and methods. "The occupying power aims to deepen and expand its looting of Palestinian lands," the ministry stressed. It pointed out that these actions are reflected by the right-wing attempts to declare parts of Palestinian land as nature reserves or expand existing reserves to designate them as appropriate for settlement construction projects. The ruling authorities also declare parts of the Palestinian lands as closed military and security areas and suitable for maneuvers, so they expel Palestinian citizens and prohibit them from approaching their lands, it explained, citing other expansionist colonial forms that ensure their looting of more Palestinian lands. “They confiscate thousands of dunums to build roads and large settlement streets, destroy other parts of Palestinian lands, control all areas classified as “C” and deprive Palestinians of urban expansion, under the pretext that these areas are subject to the occupation forces.” The ministry affirmed that these measures reflect the reality of Palestinians’ daily life that is becoming worse due to the continuous violations and crimes committed by the occupation forces and settlers. The ministry further condemned “in the strongest terms” the settlement in all its forms, including the demolition and vandalism of Palestinian homes, installations and properties, considering these actions an open war against the Palestinian presence in Areas classified as “C,” which constitute the vast area of the Palestinian territory. It stressed that the occupation’s displacement policy aims to confiscate the widest possible area of the Palestinian land, in a clear Israeli disregard for international resolutions, stances, and UN decisions that are neither implemented nor respected.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2838316/pa-says-israel-going-ahead-annexation-plans