As early as July 1, the Netanyahu-Gantz government could begin annexing large swathes of the West Bank. This move will be a major, if not final, blow to the possibility of any kind of agreement between Israel and her Palestinian neighbours. It will doom both peoples to live in perpetual conflict, destroying the viability of a Palestinian state with non-contiguous enclaves of Palestinian autonomy, destabilising the wider region.

Learn more about annexation:

Responses from the British Jewish community:

 
Why is annexation so dangerous?
 

Israel’s Security:

Members of Israel’s security establishment have warned that annexation risks undermining or destroying important cornerstones of Israel’s security strategy, while provoking outrage in the West Bank. 

 

 

The Israeli government is still planning to unilaterally annex parts of the West Bank. A move that would be...

Posted by Yachad on Wednesday, 1 July 2020

 

 

Palestinians' Human Rights: 

Annexation would be a gross violation of international law, designed to prevent the creation of an independent Palestinian state  alongside Israel. It would leave millions of Palestinians living permanently in disconnected enclaves, surrounded by Israeli territory and subject to unaccountable military rule — without any hope of self-determination.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Israeli Democracy:

If Israel moves ahead with annexation, there will be further consequences for Israel’s status as a democracy. Maintaining permanent control over millions of Palestinians within Israel’s territory — while denying them the most basic civil and political rights — would be a betrayal of Israel’s founding values of democracy and equality, as enshrined by Israel’s 1948 Declaration of Independence. The fact that the Palestinians living in these areas of land have no right to vote for the government which would undertake an act of illegal annexation, is itself undemocratic. 

 

 

Geopolitical risks: 

West Bank annexation has the potential to undermine vital British and Israeli security relationships in a highly volatile region, and to prevent Israel from developing closer ties with currently hostile Arab states. In particular, it could shake the foundations of Israel’s essential peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan. 

Take Action Now to Stop Annexation

Delaying annexation is only the starting point. Take action now to stop it. 

Sign an open letter to the Israeli Diaspora Minister Omer Yankelevich saying British Jews oppose annexation

To prevent annexation, it is vital that the British government speaks out against it and urges the Israeli government to reconsider this plan.

Write to your MP now and ask them to take action