Erekat: New annexation-backing government a ‘threat’ to Mideast

Senior Palestinian official Saeb Erekat says that the new government agreed upon by Netanyahu and Gantz threatens the stability of the entire Middle East, due to its commitment to bring a vote on applying Israeli sovereignty to parts of the West Bank.

“A government coalition based on a commitment to annex more occupied Palestinian territory is a threat to a rules-based world order in general, but to peace, security, and stability in the Middle East in particular. Annexation means the end of any possibility for a negotiated solution,” Erekat says in a statement.

“It is an international responsibility to hold the new Israeli government accountable and to demand full implementation of its obligations under international law and signed agreements,” he says.

“The new Israeli government has two options; to either open the doors for a meaningful peace process or to further jeopardize any hope for peace. To pursue the path of cooperation, honoring its obligations under international law, or to carry on with the further expansion of its illegal colonial-settlements, annexation, and other violations of Israeli obligations.”