Credit: Gary Raynaldo /  United Nations world headquarters in New York

By Gary Raynaldo        DIPLOMATIC TIMES

UNITED NATIONS –  NEW YORK –  A top UN Rights official Monday called Israel’s plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank “illegal”, saying it would have a disastrous impact on Palestinians.  Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights,  warned Israel not to proceed along the “dangerous path” of annexing a swathe of occupied Palestinian territory.  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has set 1 July as the potential date to unilaterally annex parts of the occupied West Bank – as Palestinians warn of a return to resistance, even violence.

“Annexation is illegal. Period. Any annexation. Whether it is 30 per cent of the West Bank, or five per cent.”

-Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Bachelet added that annexation would have “a disastrous impact on human rights” throughout the Middle East.

“shockwaves will last for decades.”

While acknowledging that the “precise consequences of annexation cannot be predicted”, she upheld that they are likely to be disastrous for Palestinians, Israel itself and for the wider region.

UN Secretary-General António  Guterres last week also called on Israel to scrap plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank. 

“We are at a watershed moment. If implemented, annexation would constitute a most serious violation of international law, grievously harm the prospect of a two-State solution and undercut the possibilities of a renewal of negotiations. I call on the Israeli Government to abandon its annexation plans.”  

-UN Secretary-General António  Guterres

 Israel’s plan to annex significant parts of the occupied Palestinian West Bank would create “a Palestinian Bantustan” and violates a core principle of international law. Nearly 50 independent human rights experts warned . 

United States Backs Israeli Annexation Plan in West Bank 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made annexation a major pledge during campaigning, ahead of the latest round of national elections held in March. The proposal would see sovereignty extended to roughly 30 per cent of the West Bank, covering most of the Jordan Valley and hundreds of illegal Israeli settlements. In response, Palestinian leaders have cut ties with Israel and the United States, which backed the plan.

President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020, in the East Room of the White House to unveil details of the Trump administration’s Middle East Peace Plan. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)