UN chief Guterres ‘gravely concerned’ by Israeli measures
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on Israel to reverse its decision to deepen control over the West Bank.
A spokesperson for Guterres told reporters the UN chief is “gravely concerned” by the Israeli security cabinet’s moves.
“The secretary-general warns that the current trajectory on the ground, including this decision, is eroding the prospects for a two-state solution,” Stephane Dujarric said during a news conference at UN headquarters in New York City.
“He reiterates that all Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and their associated regime and infrastructure have no legal validity and are in flagrant violation of international law, including relevant United Nations resolutions,” Dujarric said.
“Such actions, including Israel’s continuing presence in the occupied Palestinian territory are not only destabilising, but as recalled by the International Court of Justice, unlawful.”
UK says Israeli move to annex West Bank ‘unacceptable’
Britain is the latest country to call on Israel to reverse its decision to expand control over the West Bank.
“The UK strongly condemns the Israeli security cabinet’s decision yesterday to expand Israeli control over the West Bank,” the government said in a statement.
“Any unilateral attempt to alter the geographic or demographic make-up of Palestine is wholly unacceptable and would be inconsistent with international law. We call on Israel to reverse these decisions immediately.”
Last year, the United Kingdom announced it was imposing additional sanctions on illegal Israeli settler outposts in the occupied West Bank.
As international pressure intensifies on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, the European Commission has launched a review of its trade agreement with Israel in response to the “catastrophic” situation in Gaza.
