Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand
The Palestine Forum of New Zealand strongly condemns the decision by Israel’s parliament (the Knesset) to advance a bill that would formally annex the occupied West Bank. This move flagrantly violates international law and the rights of the Palestinian people.
The bill narrowly passed its first reading by a vote of 25 to 24. It is the first of four votes required for it to become law, signalling an alarming shift toward the full legalisation of Israel’s de facto annexation policies that have been expanding through illegal settlements for decades.
“Annexing the West Bank would amount to the formal erasure of any possibility for Palestinian sovereignty and self-determination,” said Maher Nazzal, spokesperson for the Palestine Forum of New Zealand. “It is an act of aggression that undermines international law, the United Nations Charter, and all efforts toward a just and lasting peace.”
The Forum calls on the New Zealand Government, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, and the international community to:
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Unequivocally condemn this move toward annexation;
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Support international accountability measures, including sanctions for violations of international law; and
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Reaffirm their commitment to the rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to self-determination and statehood.
“This is not a distant issue,” Maher Nazzal added. “New Zealand has a responsibility to uphold international law and human rights. Silence or inaction in the face of annexation only emboldens illegal occupation and further undermines prospects for peace.”
The annexation of the occupied Palestinian territory would further entrench apartheid and deepen the humanitarian crisis across the region. The international community must not remain silent.
