UAE denounces Netanyahu's electoral pledge to annex occupied West Bank

Abu Dhabi: The UAE has strongly denounced and categorically reject Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement to annex lands from the occupied West Bank if he is re-elected.

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said: “Netanyahu's declaration is a serious escalation that breaches all international conventions and resolutions, and an expression of electoral exploitation in its worst form, without respect to the legitimacy of international resolutions.

He added that Netanyahu’s declaration would undermine efforts by the international community to reach a peaceful solution to the Palestinian cause. “This irresponsible electoral announcement threatens to undermine long decades of efforts by the international community’s to find a fair and just solution to the Palestinian question, which is a central issue to Arabs and Muslims,” Sheikh Abdullah emphasised.

Sheikh Abdullah reaffirmed the UAE’s welcome and immediate response to Saudi Arabia’s call for an emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to discuss Israel’s serious escalation and put an urgent action plan.