The Embassy of the State of Palestine in Cyprus has condemned what it described as recent measures by the Israeli government aimed at annexing Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank.
In a statement, the embassy said the steps constitute a flagrant violation of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, and directly undermine the inalienable and non-negotiable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.
It added that efforts to impose Israeli sovereignty and legislation on occupied Palestinian territory represent a dangerous escalation and seriously threaten any prospect of a just and sustainable peace process.
International community 'silent'
“This is the most dangerous institutional and administrative step, as it blatantly undermines the 1993 Oslo Accords, while the implementation of these measures effectively places a tombstone on the agreement,” the statement said.
The embassy further claimed that Israel is “exploiting the inertia and silence of the international community, as well as the impunity resulting from the non-implementation of relevant decisions of international courts”.
“We reiterate our full and categorical rejection of any unilateral decisions or actions aimed at altering the legal, geographic and demographic character of the occupied West Bank,” it added.
The embassy called on the international community, the European Union and all competent international bodies to assume their responsibilities and ensure full respect for international law by exerting meaningful pressure on Israel “for the immediate cessation of its illegal and provocative actions”.
It also urged the Republic of Cyprus, in its capacity as holder of the rotating EU Council presidency, to take “a historic initiative and place the issue high on its list of priorities”.