Borrell warned of the consequences of the annexation of the West Bank for Israel
The possible annexation by Israel of Palestinian territories on the West Bank of the Jordan river will negatively affect its relations with the European Union, warned EU high representative for foreign and security policy of Josep Borrell.
"As a person, personally associated with the region, I have emphasized in private conversations with Israeli leaders and publicly that the annexation will jeopardize the good cooperation with Israel. We exactly do not want," wrote Borrell in his blog on the page of the foreign service of the EU. According to him, now on the contrary there is a possibility for closer cooperation between the EU and Israel in the interests of achieving stability in the middle East. "But we cannot and will not accept changes to the borders that existed before 1967, unless it is agreed by both parties to the conflict," said Borrell.
According to him, urging Israel to refrain from unilateral steps that the EU also appeals to the Palestinian call to return to the negotiating table.
"Peace cannot be imposed. Need to negotiate, no matter how difficult it may be. I will continue to support these efforts, to help mobilize the international community to achieve acceptable to both parties and sustainable results", - concluded the head of European diplomacy.
In late may, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the date of annexation of the territories of the West Bank of the Jordan river under the "deal of the century," the US President Donald trump. According to Netanyahu, the application of Israeli sovereignty in the Jewish settlements of the West Bank of the Jordan river was supposed to happen on 1 July. Later, the Minister of water resources and higher education ze'ev Elkin said in an interview with the local press that the date of annexation may be moved for several days or weeks.
On Monday, the foreign Minister of Israel Gabi Ashkenazi said in an interview with radio Kan that the application of Israeli sovereignty in parts of the West Bank of the Jordan river are scheduled over the coming days.
The US President Donald trump on 28 January presented a plan of peaceful settlement known as "the deal of the century". The plan of the White house to recognize Jerusalem as the unified and indivisible capital of Israel, makes Israel the opportunity to Annex Palestinian territory in the West Bank of the Jordan river and to extend its sovereignty over the Jordan valley, and also offers the creation of a demilitarized Palestinian state without control over its borders and airspace. As the future capital of Palestine, the plan provides the village of Abu Dis in the Eastern suburbs of Jerusalem.
The Palestinians and some countries, this plan is not adopted, as it, in their view, deprives Palestinians of the right to those areas that are stipulated by the UN resolutions. The head of the Palestinian national authority, Mahmoud Abbas, the new plan is also rejected, saying that the Palestinians insist on recognition of their state in the 1967 borders with its capital in Jerusalem.
May 19, Abbas said that Palestine decided to terminate all agreements with Israel and the United States on the background of the intentions of the Israeli government to join Palestinian land.