Europe Warns Netanyahu over West Bank Annexation Vow
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Five major European countries said an Israeli annexation of parts of the West Bank would "constitute a serious breach of international law."
France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Britain issued a joint statement late Thursday saying they are "deeply concerned about the announcement of a possible annexation of areas in the West Bank, particularly the Jordan valley and the northern shore of the Dead Sea”, according to AP.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently vowed to annex the heart of the West Bank if he wins re-election.
The five European countries urge Israel and the Palestinians to avoid taking steps that "would imperil the viability of a two-state solution" and make it harder to achieve peace.
The Jordan Valley and the northern Dead Sea constitute almost 30 percent of the West Bank. Some 65,000 Palestinians and about 11,000 illegal Israeli settlers live in the area.
