Amnesty International called on Israeli officials to halt contentious plans to further annex territory in the occupied West Bank, saying such a move will exacerbate decades of systematic human rights violations against Palestinians. RNA_"Amnesty International is calling on the Israeli authorities to immediately abandon plans to further “annex” territory in the occupied West Bank because they will exacerbate decades of systematic human rights violations against Palestinians and aim to deprive Palestinians in the OPT (Occupied Palestinian Territories) of the protection of international humanitarian law," the Britain-based human right organization said in a statement on Thursday, according to presstv.
"Such a step by Israel would also violate the UN Charter, peremptory norms of international law (jus cogens), and obligations under international humanitarian law," it added.
Amnesty called on the international community "to enforce international law", and stressed that “annexation” of any part of the occupied West Bank is "null and void".
Amnesty International also called for an immediate halt to the Tel Aviv regime’s policy of construction or expansion of settlements and related infrastructure in the occupied Palestinian territories and urged an international action against the policy.
“As a first step they should end all trade with Israeli settlements by banning settlement products and stopping companies domiciled in their territories from operating in or with settlements,” it pointed out.
The rights body added, "Settlements are created with the sole purpose of permanently establishing Israeli civilians on occupied land; this is a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and “annexation” has no bearing on this legal determination."
The organization then criticized US President Donald Trump’s controversial Middle East "peace" plan, dubbed the Deal of the Century, stating the initiative seeks to undermine Palestinians’ human rights, including the right of return of Palestinian refugees.
The deal of the century envisions Jerusalem al-Quds as “Israel’s undivided capital” and allows the Tel Aviv regime to annex settlements in the occupied West Bank and Jordan Valley. The plan also denies Palestinian refugees the right of return to their homeland, among other controversial terms.
Trump’s plan has triggered waves of protest rallies around the globe.
Amnesty International also voiced its support for an investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) into the grave situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, calling on world countries to offer their full political and practical support for such a measure.
PLO official welcomes global call by women leaders against annexation
Also on Thursday, a high-ranking member of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) praised the global call by dozens of female political leaders against Israel’s plan to annex parts of the West Bank.
“We welcome the letter signed by over 40 international women leaders in response to an appeal by Palestinian women for action to stop annexation and end the occupation. These principled voices of reason provide hope in such dark times and reaffirm women's leading role in advancing peace, justice, and freedom. This letter highlights the power and global reach of our inter-sectional and joint struggle as women for these universal values in Palestine and around the world,” Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the Executive Committee of the PLO, said in a statement.
Ashrawi added, “Israel's colonial project in Palestine is a threat to the international rules-based order and Palestine. In particular, it will have a devastating effect on Palestinian women's rights and lives. Stopping annexation and ending the occupation is a moral imperative of all human rights and women's rights defenders. This letter reflects commitment to our shared values.”
Female political leaders on Wednesday called on the international community to make efforts to stop the Tel Aviv regime’s annexation plan, and described the move as an “existential threat” to world order if implemented.
“Such a move would unravel half a century of efforts for peace in the region,” said a joint statement by more than 40 international women personalities.
The statement is signed by former heads of state, parliamentarians, Nobel Peace Laureates and senior UN and human rights officials, including Mary Robinson, former UN Commissioner for Human Rights and former president of Ireland, and Helen Clark, former prime minister of New Zealand.