Jordan Condemns Israel’s Move to Annex West Bank and Urges Peaceful Solution
Jordan’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemns Israel’s latest actions and statements regarding the occupied Palestinian territories. This week, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich made comments about annexing parts of the West Bank, which many see as a violation of international law and a step that escalates tensions in the region.
Jordan emphasizes that Israel has no sovereignty over the Palestinian lands it has occupied since 1967. The Foreign Ministry warns that Israel’s expansionist policies and inflammatory rhetoric only fuel violence and threaten regional peace and stability.
The ongoing Israeli occupation is at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Jordan highlights that policies like forced displacement and settlement expansion are illegal and worsen the situation. The only way to achieve lasting peace, they say, is to end the occupation and establish an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Recently, during a press conference in Jerusalem, Smotrich announced a plan to annex 82% of the West Bank, aiming to prevent the creation of a Palestinian state. He declared that it’s time for Israel to apply sovereignty in these areas, with a focus on controlling the land while limiting Palestinian population. This move is reportedly a response to calls from some European countries to recognize Palestine at the upcoming UN General Assembly.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning to hold a ministerial meeting to discuss applying Israeli sovereignty over parts of the West Bank, according to reports.
Jordan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Fuad Majali, strongly rejected these provocative actions. He said such policies and statements only encourage further violence and instability. Majali reiterated that Israel’s continued military operations in Gaza and its hostile rhetoric violate international law and the rights of the Palestinian people.
He pointed out that resolutions like UN Security Council Resolution 2334 and opinions from the International Court of Justice clearly state that annexing occupied land is illegal. Majali warned that unilateral Israeli moves could spark more violence and pose serious threats to security in the region.
Jordan remains committed to the two-state solution, advocating for a peaceful, just resolution based on the 1967 borders. They call for international pressure on Israel to end illegal settlement building and displacement, respect Palestinian rights, and hold violators accountable.
The Jordanian government urges the international community to act responsibly by calling for an end to violence, stopping incitement, protecting Palestinian civilians, and ensuring all parties respect international law. Only through dialogue and adherence to agreements can lasting peace be achieved in the Middle East.
