Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas called Wednesday for a ‘firm response’ from the United States and the international community to Israel’s plan to tighten its control of the occupied West Bank.
During a visit to Oslo, Abbas said he had discussed the issue with Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store, as well as those of Israeli settler violence and Israel’s freezing of ‘$4 billion’ intended for the Palestinian people.
‘These serious violations require a firm response from the US administration and the international community because they hinder US president Donald Trump’s efforts and constitute a violation of international law,’ Abbas told reporters.
On Sunday, Israel’s security cabinet approved a series of measures that would allow Israel to expand its control in areas administered by the Palestinian Authority under the Oslo accords in place since the 1990s.
The plans, which have sparked international outrage, would also allow Jewish Israelis to buy West Bank land directly and allow Israeli authorities to administer certain religious sites even when they are located in areas under Palestinian Authority control.
Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967.
Excluding Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, more than 5,00,000 Israelis live in settlements and outposts across the West Bank, which are illegal under international law.
Around three million Palestinians live in the territory.
Volker Turk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the decisions by Israel’s security cabinet were the latest in a string of measures to annex Palestinian lands.
‘This is yet another step by the Israeli authorities towards rendering a viable Palestinian state impossible, in violation of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination,’ Turk said in a statement.
‘If these decisions are implemented, they will undoubtedly accelerate the dispossession of Palestinians and their forcible transfer, and lead to the creation of more illegal Israeli settlements.
‘This will also further deprive Palestinians of their natural resources and restrict their enjoyment of other human rights.’
