Spain Denounces Israel's West Bank Annexation Bill
(MENAFN) Spain sharply criticized the Israeli parliament's preliminary approval on Thursday of a bill aimed at annexing parts of the occupied West Bank and asserting full Israeli sovereignty over them.
While the bill lacks immediate legal effect, Madrid emphasized that it violates international law, citing a pivotal July 19, 2024, advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice, which declared Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories illegal.
“The initiative in the Knesset is contrary to the spirit of the US peace plan, which has opened an opportunity to achieve lasting peace in the region and to principles set out in the New York Declaration for the implementation of the two-state solution,” the Spanish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The bill passed by a narrow margin of 25-24 votes, with strong support from ultranationalist factions in the Israeli government. However, its passage in the full 120-seat Knesset remains uncertain.
In addition to condemning the annexation plan, Spain reiterated its firm stance against Israeli settlement expansion, which it called “illegal under international law.” The Spanish government also condemned “any initiative that prevents the implementation of the two-state solution, the only path to lasting peace in the region.”
Madrid expressed “deep concern” over the escalating situation in the West Bank, highlighting issues like settler violence, ongoing military operations, and what it described as a public strategy to expand Israeli settlements—all factors it views as major obstacles to regional peace and security.
The bill has also been heavily criticized by global leaders, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who labeled the annexation proposal as “counterproductive” and “threatening” to peace efforts, as he departed for Israel.
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