Israel yet to complete West Bank annexation map days ahead of planned 'unlawful' move: report

The final maps for Israeli annexation have not yet been drawn, a report suggest, days ahead of the planned move.
2 min read
29 June, 2020
Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967 [Getty]
The final maps for Israeli annexation of the occupied West Bank have not yet been drawn, despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly committing to "partial annexation", Israeli media said.

According to a report by Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharonot, Netanyahu has not yet mapped out the illegal annexations of the occupied West Bank that is due to take place within a matter of days.

Officials are not expecting a delay to the original July 1 date, but it may pass without any annexations being implemented in the occupied West Bank.

Meanwhile, in continuation of negotiations, a team from the White House headed by President Donald Trump's envoy Avrahm Berkowitz will start a series of meetings with Israeli officials on Monday after meeting Netanyahu and alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz on Saturday evening.

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Israeli officials claim that "the American support for the move is now cool, in light of doubts about whether the annexation benefits US President Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential elections."

On Sunday, cabinet ministers estimated that Netanyahu will ultimately prefer a partial rather than a full guarantee for 30 percent of the West Bank, because partial annexation does not obligate him to accept the entire plan drawn out by Trump.

Israel has occupied the West Bank illegally since 1967, and commits various abuses against Palestinian civilians, human rights groups say.

More than 600,000 Israeli Jews live in settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, in constructions considered illegal under international law.

The Oslo agreement of 1995 divided the occupied West Bank into three: Area A, Area B and Area C.

Area A is under the administrative and security control of the Palestinian Authority (PA). Area B's administration is controlled by the Palestinian Authority, with Israel controlling security. Area C is under full administrative and security control of Israel.

Israel's plans to annex the West Bank have been denounced as an illegal violation of international law by world leaders as well as UN human rights chief, Michelle Bachelet.

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