AMMAN: King Abdullah II of Jordan on Sunday reaffirmed his “absolute refusal” towards any efforts by Israel to annex the occupied West Bank during a visit to the UAE, the royal palace said.
The message came after several Israeli officials suggested that the country could proceed with the annexation of large tracts of the territory in response to moves by Western governments to recognise Palestinian statehood this month.
Read more: GGC condemns planned annexation of occupied West Bank
According to a palace statement, Abdullah reiterated “Jordan’s absolute refusal of any Israeli measures aimed at annexing the West Bank and forcing Palestinians to leave”.
He also rejected any plans to displace Palestinians from Gaza or to separate the two Palestinian territories.
King Abdullah was joined by Emirati President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in expressing opposition to Israeli plans to expand settlements in the West Bank, occupied by Israel since 1967.
They also rejected “Israeli plans aimed at perpetuating the occupation of Gaza and expanding military control”.
Read more: EU credibility collapsing for not acting over Gaza war: Belgium
Earlier this week, the United Arab Emirates warned this week that annexation would be a “red line”.
The issue was a key point during the US-led negotiations for Abu Dhabi to normalise relations with Israel in the Abraham Accords of 2020.
PALESTINIAN STATE
The Jordanian king has on multiple occasions said that Jordan would never be a “substitute country” for Palestinians, amid suggestions from the United States and Israel that third countries could take in displaced Gazans.
Also on Sunday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar warned that Western nations recognising a Palestinian state could trigger “unilateral” measures by Israel.
Read more: US warns other countries against recognising Palestinian state
Far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich called this week for the West Bank’s annexation in response to the planned recognition.