Arab nations condemn Netanyahu's Jordan Valley annexation plan

2019-09-11 14:13:58

Arab nations have condemned a plan by Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to annex a third of the occupied West Bank. On Tuesday Mr Netanyahu pledged to apply Israeli sovereignty over the Jordan Valley and northern Dead Sea if he is returned to office following a general election next week. Officials in Jordan and Saudi Arabia sharply criticised the announcement. The Palestinians said the move would be "illegal", while the UN said it would destroy the chance of new peace talks. The annexation proposed by Mr Netanyahu would "bury any chance of peace", said chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat. Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967 but has stopped short of annexation. Palestinians claim the whole of the area for a future independent state. Mr Netanyahu has previously insisted Israel would always retain a presence in the Jordan Valley for security purposes. A UN spokesman said the proposed annexation would have "no international legal effect".