Italia joins UN condemnation of Israel over the West Bank
The first time since 1967 that Jerusalem has been extended towards the West Bank
Italia has joined a document submitted to the UN condemning Israel's actions in the Territories. The document, presented by the Palestinian ambassador on behalf of the 'Arab Group', 'strongly condemns the unilateral Israeli decisions and measures aimed at expanding Israel's illegal presence in the West Bank'. "Decisions contrary to Israel's obligations under international law" that "must be immediately revoked". The declarations - reports the Farnesina - were supported by, among others, the vast majority of European countries, the EU and other like-minded states such as Canada and Japan.
The other European countries that have joined the declaration are France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Greece, and Finland, reports the Farnesina, stressing that Italia's adherence to the Palestinian initiative confirms Italy's commitment to international law and to condemning any measure that could compromise the two-state solution.
The document condemning Israel also states that "we reiterate our rejection of all measures aimed at changing the demographic composition, characteristics and status of the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem. Such measures violate international law, undermine ongoing efforts for peace and stability in the region, run counter to the Comprehensive Plan, and undermine the prospect of reaching a peace agreement to end the conflict. We reaffirm our commitment, as expressed in the New York Declaration, to take concrete measures, in accordance with international law and in line with relevant United Nations resolutions and the advisory opinion of 19 July 2024 of the International Court of Justice, to contribute to the realisation of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and to counter the illegal settlement policy in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, and policies and threats of forced displacement and annexation.
We reaffirm that a just and lasting peace on the basis of the relevant UN resolutions, the Madrid Terms of Reference, including the principle of land for peace, and the Arab Peace Initiative, ending the Israeli occupation that began in 1967 and implementing the two-state solution, in which two democratic states, an independent and sovereign Palestine and Israel, live side by side in peace and security within their secure and recognised borders based on the 1967 lines, including with regard to Jerusalem, remains the only way to ensure security and stability in the region'.
The expansion plan
A few days before the first meeting of the 'Board of Peace' for Gaza, scheduled for Thursday 19 February, the Israeli government signed an agreement for the creation of a new settlement, which in fact constitutes an expansion towards East Jerusalem in the West Bank.
