UN Rights Chief: Israel’s Annexation Plan Illegal

TEHRAN (IQNA) – The United Nations top human rights official Michelle Bachelet called on Israel Monday to halt its illegal plans to annex part of occupied Palestinian territory in the West Bank and warned it could lead to deadly clashes.

"Annexation is illegal. Period," Bachelet said in a statement, Reuters reported. "I am deeply concerned that even the most minimalist form of annexation would lead to increased violence and loss of life, as walls are erected, security forces deployed and the two populations brought into closer proximity."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to extend Israeli sovereignty over Zionist settlements in the territory has drawn condemnation from the Palestinians, US Arab allies and other foreign governments. His cabinet is due to begin formal annexation deliberations Wednesday, July 1.

However, Netanyahu's top coalition partner Benny Gantz said Monday that a July 1 target date to begin discussing proposed annexation of occupied West Bank land was "not sacred", a source in Gantz's party said.

The remarks, which the source said Gantz made during a meeting with US Ambassador David Friedman and White House adviser Avi Berkowitz, threw doubt on prospects for a unified Israeli approach to US President Donald Trump's peace plan.