Netanyahu Annexation Pledge: Al Jazeera

In a quest for votes prior to the September 17 election, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, applying Israeli sovereignty, if he wins reelection. Sections include the Jordan Valley and northern Dead Sea, making up 30 percent of the West Bank, as well as Jewish-only settlements in the territory, reports Al Jazeera: The report goes on to report the United Nations warned the plan would have “no international legal effect.” Also, “Arab foreign ministers meeting in Cairo called his election promise a ‘dangerous development and a new Israeli aggression by declaring the intention to violate the international law,’” reports Al Jazeera. About 65,000 Palestinians live in the area, and about 650,000 Israeli Jews live in more than 100 settlements in the occupied territory, considered illegal under international law. The Palestinian Authority president promised to end all agreements with Israel if the annexation plan proceeds. US presidential adviser Jared Kushner urged Israel to examine a proposed US peace plan before going through on annexation. Palestinians remain pessimistic after a series of US policy changes in support of hardline Israeli positions. – YaleGlobal