France and Switzerland Condemn Israel's Decisions to Deepen the Annexation of the West Bank

SadaNews - France and Switzerland condemned the decisions of the Israeli government’s "Cabinet" regarding the deepening of efforts to annex the West Bank, considering them a blatant violation of international law and undermining the prospects for peace and a two-state solution.

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in an official statement today, Tuesday, that Paris "strongly condemns the recent decisions aimed at expanding Israel's control over the West Bank, particularly in areas (A) and (B) (classifications stemming from the Oslo Accords)."

It confirmed that these decisions "contradict international law and represent a serious challenge to the Oslo Accords and the redeployment protocol in Hebron."

The statement added that the recent Israeli measures, along with the approval of the "E1" project (a settlement plan that connects the Ma'ale Adumim settlement to Jerusalem and undermines the geographical continuity of the West Bank), and the issuance of related tenders, contribute to advancing the annexation of the West Bank and constitute a grave violation of the two-state solution principle."

The French Foreign Ministry warned that these steps come at a time when "international efforts are converging to implement the second phase of the (peace plan) in the Gaza Strip," noting that they could "jeopardize current peace efforts and exacerbate tensions in the region."

France concluded its statement by calling for "Israel's immediate reversal of these decisions," reiterating its "strong opposition to any form of annexation," and confirming its continued commitment "to working towards achieving a just and sustainable peace, in accordance with the resolutions of the UN Security Council and the principles stated in the New York Declaration."

For its part, the Swiss Foreign Ministry emphasized in a separate statement that "settlement activities are illegal under international law," considering them "to undermine the two-state solution based on two states living side by side in peace and security within internationally recognized and secure borders, based on the pre-1967 lines."