By Talkmore Gandiwa
The State of Palestine has issued a strong condemnation of an aggressive push by senior Israeli government ministers, particularly those from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, to formally annex large parts of the occupied West Bank before the Israeli Knesset’s upcoming recess at the end of the month. This proposed annexation, according to Palestinian officials, is not just a political maneuver but part of a broader, systematic effort by Israel to erase Palestinian national identity and sovereignty.
The move, if executed, would see Israel unilaterally declare sovereignty over extensive areas of Palestinian land—most of which are already dotted with illegal Israeli settlements. It would formalize and legitimize control over territory internationally recognized as occupied and thus deepen what the Palestinian leadership describes as an apartheid regime and an ongoing campaign of ethnic cleansing.
“The proposed annexation is an outrageous and dangerous escalation,” said Ambassador Tamer Almassri, the Palestinian envoy. “It is a flagrant violation of international law and a continuation of Israel’s all-out genocidal war against the Palestinian people. It tramples on the fundamental right of Palestinians to self-determination, sovereignty, and dignity in their own homeland.”
A Long Pattern of Land Grabs and Settlement Expansion
Israel’s push to annex parts of the West Bank is not new but part of a decades-long policy of occupation, settlement, and land confiscation. Since the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel has gradually extended its control over the West Bank, often through military means, settlement expansion, and forced displacement of Palestinian communities.
Today, more than 270 illegal Israeli colonies have been established across the occupied Palestinian territory, housing over 750,000 settlers. These settlements not only violate the Fourth Geneva Convention—which prohibits an occupying power from transferring its own civilian population into the territory it occupies—but also fracture the territorial continuity needed for a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.
“Annexation is not simply a declaration,” Ambassador Almassri explained. “It is the physical erasure of Palestinian land and the obliteration of the idea that peace based on justice can be achieved.”
Violation of International Law and Global Norms
Annexation—the acquisition of territory through the use or threat of force—is strictly prohibited under international law. It violates the United Nations Charter and constitutes a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention. Such actions also fall under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has opened an investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Palestinian territories, including the expansion of settlements and the displacement of civilians.
If Israel proceeds with the annexation plans, it risks not only cementing its image as an outlaw state but also destabilizing the broader Middle East. “This is not just a Palestinian issue,” said Almassri. “This is a threat to international peace and security. It sets a dangerous precedent where powerful states can occupy and annex land with impunity.”
Urgent Call to the International Community
The Palestinian leadership is urgently calling on the international community, including the United Nations, the European Union, the African Union, and the Arab League, to take firm and decisive action. This includes imposing diplomatic consequences, economic sanctions, and pursuing accountability through legal mechanisms.
Failure to act, they warn, would amount to complicity.
“Silence or vague statements are no longer acceptable,” the ambassador emphasized. “The world must not turn a blind eye to systematic crimes against humanity. Words of concern are not enough—concrete measures must be taken to halt Israel’s annexation plans and hold it accountable for its violations.”
Palestinians have consistently demanded the implementation of international resolutions, including UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which reaffirms the illegality of settlements and calls on Israel to cease all settlement activities. However, Israel has largely ignored these resolutions, emboldened by the lack of enforcement and, in some cases, overt support from powerful allies.
The Consequences of Inaction
If the annexation proceeds unchallenged, it will mark the death knell for the two-state solution, a vision that has formed the foundation of decades of peace negotiations. It will also pave the way for even more aggressive policies aimed at dispossessing Palestinians of their homes, lands, and rights.
“This is a defining moment,” said Ambassador Almassri. “The international community must decide whether it stands for justice and the rule of law or whether it will allow apartheid, colonization, and genocide to continue unchecked.”
The Palestinian people, despite decades of occupation, remain steadfast in their struggle for freedom and justice. But their ability to resist systematic oppression and achieve statehood depends not only on their resilience but also on global solidarity and accountability.
