How West Bank Annexation Leads to Modern Apartheid

Mehr News⁤ Agency, International Desk – ⁢ Mohammadreza Moradi: Recent political developments in the occupied territories​ have brought the issue of annexing the West Bank ‌to ‌Israeli-controlled lands back to the ⁤forefront. Recently, the Knesset (Israeli parliament) narrowly approved a preliminary draft law aimed at “applying Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank.” This ⁢move was met‍ with‌ immediate international ‍condemnation.⁢ Even U.S. President Donald Trump warned Tel Aviv in an interview with Time magazine⁣ against ​rushing toward annexation, cautioning that such action could​ jeopardize full American support for Israel. Vice President Mike Pence⁤ called the decision ⁢”stupid and reckless.” Simultaneously,a wave of regional ‌and global ⁣denunciations⁢ emerged. Arab and Islamic‌ countries including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, indonesia, and Pakistan issued a joint⁢ statement condemning ⁤the Knesset’s‌ move as‌ a “clear ⁢violation of international law and a⁢ threat⁢ to Middle eastern​ stability.” In response to this international pressure and concerns about Washington’s reaction, Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered suspending all executive⁣ plans ​related to annexation until further notice. But what are Israel’s true goals behind ‍this ‍annexation?

Israel’s Strategic Aims Behind Annexation

Consolidating ⁤territorial control and security: Geopolitically, the West Bank is critical due ‍to its central highlands⁤ overlooking key cities within Israeli-held territories and vital dialog routes. Zionist leaders-especially far-right factions-have⁢ long claimed that withdrawing from these areas‍ woudl deprive Israel of strategic depth in defense. Consequently, they justify annexing major parts of this region under “Israeli⁤ security,” though its real purpose is permanent expansion of Israel’s borders.

maintaining demographic superiority and racial structure: Israel seeks to annex parts of⁤ the West Bank where Palestinian ‍population density is lower-most notably Area C ⁣which constitutes ‌roughly 60% of its⁢ land area. This ​approach allows‍ Israel to seize natural ​resources and fertile land while avoiding incorporating millions of Palestinians who could shift demographic balances.

Entrenching ​religious-ideological discourse: Extremist Zionist groups-including the Religious Zionism party led by Bezalel Smotrich-invoke Talmudic interpretations identifying ‌the West Bank as part of biblical Judea and ⁢Samaria.For them, this annexation goes beyond politics; it fulfills a divine promise tied directly to religious identity-a worldview that outright rejects ​any compromise.

The Legal Dimensions: Conflict with International Law

The outlook under international law categorically prohibits territorial acquisition by force or war. Article⁤ 2 of the UN Charter alongside Security‍ Council Resolutions 242 and 338 state unequivocally that‌ no‌ territory may be gained through warfare. The International Court‌ of Justice (ICJ), in its advisory opinion issued in July 2024, declared that transferring ‍civilian administrative powers within Area C constitutes an illegal ⁤step toward formal annexation by Israel.The court urged halting settlement‍ expansions immediately while reaffirming Palestinian self-determination rights.

Despite this ruling ignored by Tel Aviv-which⁣ instead set new records for settlement growth in 2024​ approving 27,589 new housing units-the actions ‍amount de facto annexionism: unacknowledged official claims altering realities on ground permanently.

The Economic And Structural Aspects Of⁣ Annexation

Area C slated for‍ priority‍ incorporation contains most Palestinian natural resources along with highly fertile lands.

By⁢ transferring governance from⁣ military administration towards ‍Smotrich-controlled Ministry⁣ of Finance ‍oversight formally institutionalizes occupation-the transition replacing military rule with civil structures under Israeli ‍sovereignty marks ‌establishing permanent control.

Economically it’s also designed toward fully‌ integrating settlement economies into ​greater Israeli infrastructure: dedicated roads ‍linking settlements; industrial zones connected directly; integration into electricity grids; water ⁤supplies centralized around Tel Aviv.
This creates a clear economic apartheid ⁣model segregating Palestinians from access both physically as well as resource-wise.

The ‌Human And social Consequences For Palestinians

• Sustained settler violence: ⁢Over 2,200 attacks recorded across 2024​ alone.
• Dismantling homes ​& infrastructure: More‌ than 1,700 Palestinian structures demolished ⁣during same period.
• Kicking off mass​ internal displacement: thousands uprooted from ancestral lands confined now within isolated enclaves.
• Erosion Of Civil Rights: Palestinians under full Israeli control effectively live without citizenship or equal legal standing.

This situation clearly reflects characteristics identified by experts ‍worldwide as modern apartheid-a dual‍ legal regime⁤ imposed on two populations living side-by-side but governed unequally.

<boldInternational And Regional Responses

While verbal opposition globally remains firm against annexation plans,
a​ majority responses⁤ remain symbolic⁢ rather than effective measures so far:
-⁣ The European Union has threatened suspension discussions regarding economic partnership agreements yet has not implemented decisive actions;
– Joint declarations‌ among Arab Islamic nations hold diplomatic significance but ‌lack enforcement mechanisms;
– Major world powers’ silence or inactivity​ grants implicit license enabling smooth creeping⁣ progression towards formalization on ​ground.

Tactical Retreat Or Strategic Reorganization⁤ By Netanyahu?

Netanyahu’s‍ announcement suspending immediate moves should not ⁤be misunderstood as genuine ​retreat but rather tactical recalibration ⁢aligned with his ⁣broader‍ strategic vision.

Faced with U.S pressure ​fearing ⁤sanctions‌ or aid cuts-and looming EU punitive steps-he opted delay public launch.
Meanwhile‌ groundwork‍ continues ‌unabated through expanding settlements combined administrative shifts along paths dubbed “annex without naming” by international crisis analysts:Create irreversible facts on ground quietly without formal declaration.”