The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates has issued a renewed and urgent call for international intervention to curb the escalating Israeli actions in the occupied West Bank. These actions, it warns, are aimed at deepening the illegal occupation, accelerating ethnic cleansing, and enforcing gradual annexation measures that undermine the viability of a future Palestinian state.
Israel’s Escalating Occupation and Settlement Expansion
The Ministry has expressed grave concern over Israel’s increasing unilateral actions in the West Bank, especially in areas classified as (C) by the Oslo Accords, which are under full Israeli military and civilian control. According to the Ministry, these areas are being targeted for extensive confiscation of land, totaling tens of thousands of dunams. The goal is to erase the Palestinian presence and further entrench Israeli control.
In addition to the land confiscation, Israel has begun installing watchtowers and communications systems in strategic locations across the West Bank. This further consolidates its military presence and reinforces its occupation. The Ministry also highlighted the provocative calls made by far-right Israeli factions for the deployment of additional barriers and roadblocks, which hinder the movement of Palestinian citizens, effectively fragmenting the West Bank and isolating Palestinian communities.
Violence and Settler Militias
Perhaps most alarming, the Ministry emphasized the growing impunity given to Israeli settler militias. These groups, often armed and emboldened by the Israeli government, continue to carry out violent attacks against Palestinian citizens with little to no consequences. The lack of accountability for these actions exacerbates the climate of fear and insecurity faced by Palestinians in the occupied territories.
The Ministry also pointed to the worsening humanitarian conditions for Palestinians, particularly as Israel continues to expand settlements on Palestinian land. These settlements are considered illegal under international law, yet Israel’s policy continues unabated, contributing to the displacement of thousands of Palestinians.
International Community’s Inaction
One of the most striking aspects of the Ministry’s statement is its criticism of the international community’s failure to act in the face of these illegal measures. The Ministry accused the international community of not providing sufficient protection to the Palestinian people or holding Israel accountable for its violations of international law. It condemned the tendency of many international bodies to limit their response to mere condemnation without concrete action.
The Ministry expressed disappointment in the international community’s double standards, which it claimed allowed Israel to deepen its occupation and settlement activities with impunity. It pointed out that the lack of enforcement of international resolutions and the failure to impose real consequences have allowed Israel to continue its policies without fear of repercussions.
The Call for Action: Implementing International Resolutions
In its final appeal, the Ministry called on the international community to urgently implement existing resolutions that seek to protect Palestinian rights and end the occupation. It specifically mentioned United Nations Security Council Resolution No. 2735, which calls for the protection of Palestinian civilians, and the United Nations General Assembly resolution that adopted the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, which declared the Israeli occupation of Palestine illegal.
The Ministry reiterated that a just and lasting resolution to the Palestinian issue, which involves the end of the Israeli occupation, is essential not only for peace and justice in the region but for global security and stability. The failure to resolve the Palestinian issue, the Ministry warned, will continue to destabilize the Middle East and perpetuate a cycle of violence and suffering.
In conclusion, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates has called on the international community to take decisive action, urging that only through a fair and just resolution to the Palestinian issue can the region hope to achieve lasting peace and prosperity.
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