Arab League Chief Slams Israeli Law On West Bank Control

Photo: WAM

Ahmed Aboul Gheit, who is the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, has strongly criticised Israel’s recent move. On Wednesday, Israel’s parliament, known as the Knesset, voted on a draft law to impose Israeli control over the West Bank. The West Bank has been under Israeli occupation since 1967 after the Six-Day War.

In a statement shared today, Aboul Gheit said that this draft law is not just a simple law but a part of a bigger plan. He said that Israel wants to create a situation on the ground that will make their control look normal. He warned that this law is aimed at keeping the occupation forever and at officially joining (annexing) Palestinian land into Israel.

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Why Is This Law Being Condemned?

Aboul Gheit explained why he and many other Arab leaders are worried about this law. He said that Israel is trying to change the legal status of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The West Bank is a large area where many Palestinians live, and East Jerusalem is also very important because it has religious sites for Muslims, Christians, and Jews.

According to international law, including the United Nations (UN), the West Bank and East Jerusalem are considered occupied lands. This means that Israel does not have the right to claim them as their own country. Aboul Gheit said that even if the Knesset makes its own laws to say these areas belong to Israel, it does not change the truth. The truth is that these lands are occupied, and Israel’s new laws cannot change that.

International Law And United Nations Resolutions

In his statement, Aboul Gheit reminded everyone about UN Security Council Resolutions. These are important decisions made by the UN to guide peace and security in the world. Two important resolutions he mentioned are:

• Resolution 242 (1967): This resolution was made after the Six-Day War. It called for Israel to withdraw its army from lands it occupied during the war, including the West Bank.

• Resolution 2334 (2016): This resolution clearly said that Israel’s settlement activities in the West Bank and East Jerusalem have “no legal validity” and are a “flagrant violation under international law”.

Aboul Gheit said these resolutions should be the main guidelines to end Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land. He believes the international community should stand up and remind Israel about these rules.

Calls To The International Community

In his statement, Aboul Gheit urged the international community to take a strong stand. He said the draft law is not just illegal but also morally wrong. He wants countries around the world, including powerful countries and the UN, to confront Israel’s actions.

He warned that if the world stays silent, Israel will continue to take steps to annex the West Bank. This means they will officially make it part of their country. Aboul Gheit believes this will make the dream of having a Palestinian state much more difficult.

Danger Of Religious Conflicts

Aboul Gheit also shared a very serious warning. He said that there are settler groups and religious extremist movements inside Israel who support these laws. These groups believe that the West Bank belongs only to them for religious reasons. Aboul Gheit warned that if these groups are not stopped, they can drag the entire region into dangerous religious conflicts.

He said, “The settler and religious extremist movements inside Israel will drag the entire region into catastrophic religious confrontations if they are not confronted and their obsessive ambitions are not checked.”

What Is The West Bank And Why Is It Important?

For students who may not know, the West Bank is an area that lies between Israel and Jordan. It was captured by Israel in 1967. Many Palestinians live there, and they want it to be part of their future independent country, called Palestine.

Over the years, Israel has built many settlements in the West Bank. These settlements are like small Israeli towns or cities. The UN and most countries say these settlements are illegal under international law. Palestinians say these settlements make it hard to create their own country in the future.

What Does This Mean For Palestinians?

If Israel’s draft law becomes a real law, it means Israel will have full control over the West Bank. This will affect Palestinians living there because:

• They may lose their rights on their own land.

• Their dream of having a country called Palestine will become more difficult.

• Tensions and clashes between Israelis and Palestinians may increase.

What Does Ahmed Aboul Gheit Want?

As the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Aboul Gheit wants:

• The international community to reject this draft law.

• Israel to stop any plans of annexing the West Bank.

• Countries to follow UN resolutions to achieve peace.

• Protection for Palestinians’ rights and land.

The Bigger Picture: Peace In The Middle East

This draft law is not just about Israel and Palestine. It affects peace in the entire Middle East. Many Arab countries support the creation of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. They believe this is the only way to achieve lasting peace.

However, if Israel continues to make such laws, many people fear that:

• Peace talks will completely stop.

• More violence may occur.

• The region may face new religious wars, as warned by Aboul Gheit.

In his closing remarks, Aboul Gheit repeated that the draft law has no legal standing. He said that Israel’s parliament can make such laws, but it will not change the fact that the West Bank is occupied land under international law. He called upon leaders and countries around the world to act now before it is too late.

Ahmed Aboul Gheit, who is the Arab League’s Secretary-General, criticised Israel for trying to make a new law to control the West Bank, which it has occupied since 1967. He said this law is illegal and will not change the truth that the West Bank belongs to Palestinians under international law. He asked world leaders to stop Israel’s actions before they cause more religious conflicts and take away Palestinians’ hopes for their own country.