Maldives condemns Israeli prime minister’s threat to annex Palestinian territory

The Maldives government on Wednesday strongly condemned “irresponsible statements” by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to annex the Jordan Valley and the northern Dead Sea in the Occupied Palestinian Territories of West Bank.

Netanyahu pledged to apply Israeli sovereignty over the annexed territory should he win the general elections in Israel next week.

“Any attempt to annex any part of the Occupied Palestinian Territories would be a grave violation of international law including the Geneva Conventions, and would further push back any chance of meaningful dialogue between the parties towards achieving a lasting peace in the Middle East,” the Maldives foreign ministry said.

“The Maldives calls on the international community, including the United Nations Security Council, to undertake immediate efforts to uphold its relevant resolutions, especially resolution 2334 and to condemn the flagrant violations and disregard Israel has shown towards upholding the rule of law.

“The Government and people of the Maldives extend its full support to the Palestinians and will continue to advocate for a two State solution, with an independent and sovereign State of Palestine based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The self-determination of the Palestinian people is paramount to achieving lasting peace in the Middle East.”

The Maldives also reaffirmed support for an independent and sovereign Palestine at an extraordinary ministerial meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in July, which was called upon the request of Palestine following Israeli violations in the occupied city of Jerusalem.

Palestinian Foreign Minister Dr Riad Malki visited the Maldives in November to attend the inauguration ceremony of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.