Palestinian Official Warns of Israeli Actions Threatening Two-State Solution
Hussein Sheikh, the Palestinian Vice President, issued a warning on Sunday regarding potential Israeli actions that may exacerbate annexation efforts and create new realities in the West Bank. He emphasized that these actions would effectively dismantle all existing agreements between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
Sheikh noted that discussions surrounding Israeli decisions affecting Area A, which is under Palestinian civil and security control, represent a significant escalation and a clear violation of international law. He cautioned that such unilateral measures threaten the viability of the two-state solution.
He accused Israel of attempting to escalate tensions in the region and called on the U.S. administration and the international community to intervene promptly to halt what he termed "occupational encroachment."
His remarks follow reports from Yedioth Ahronoth indicating that the Israeli government has made new decisions facilitating land purchases by settlers in the West Bank, along with granting Israel the authority to take direct actions in Area A.
Israeli sources suggest that these decisions will ease restrictions on Israeli expansion in the West Bank, undermining the 1997 agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
This situation is particularly significant as it precedes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington on Wednesday, where he is expected to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump. Reports from Axios indicate that Trump and his advisors are urging Netanyahu to reconsider his policies in the West Bank.
Amid these developments, both Palestinian and international concerns are growing that Israel's new measures could ignite further unrest and close off any prospects for a political resolution.
