Macron issues a “red line” warning for any proposed annexation of the West Bank.
Any Israeli annexation plans in the West Bank would be a “red line” and would spark a European response, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday.
He said during a visit to Paris by Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas, one month into a precarious ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that ended two years of fighting when the Islamist group attacked Israel on October 7, 2023.
Under the agreement, Abbas, 89, the longtime leader of the Palestinian Authority, which has restricted authority over portions of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, may take over as leader of Gaza.
Following an increase in violence in the Palestinian territories, Macron, whose nation recognized a Palestinian state in September, issued a warning against any Israeli intentions for annexation in the West Bank.
At a joint press conference with Abbas, Macron stated, “Plans for partial or total annexation, whether legal or de facto, constitute a red line to which we will respond strongly with our European partners.”
“The violence of the settlers and the acceleration of settlement projects are reaching new heights, threatening the stability of the West Bank and constitute violations of international law,” stated President Macron.
Since the conflict in Gaza began in October 2023, there has been a sharp increase in violence in the West Bank.
According to the Palestinian health ministry, since the war in Gaza began, Israeli forces or settlers have murdered at least 1,002 Palestinians, including militants, in the West Bank.
According to official Israeli estimates, 43 Israelis, including troops, have been killed in Palestinian attacks in the West Bank during that time.
COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTION
Macron and Abbas announced the formation of a joint committee “for the consolidation of the state of Palestine” after their meeting to discuss the next steps following the ceasefire in Gaza, according to the French leader.
The proposal “will contribute to the drafting of a new constitution, a draft of which President Abbas presented to me” .
“Holding presidential and parliamentary elections after the end of the war” was one of the “reforms” that Abbas reaffirmed his commitment to.
“We are nearing completion of a draft of the provisional constitution of the state of Palestine and the laws on elections and political parties,” he stated.
A transitional authority would take over the territory’s governance from Hamas until the Palestinian Authority has implemented reforms, and an international security force composed of Arab and Muslim allies would stabilize Gaza as Israeli troops leave, according to US President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan.
Trump stated last week that he anticipated the arrival of an International Stabilization Force in Gaza “very soon” to oversee the ceasefire.
Claims of Palestinian attacks on Israeli soldiers and new Israeli strikes have put last month’s ceasefire to the test.
According to an AFP count based on official Israeli estimates, 1,221 Israelis, primarily civilians, were killed in Hamas’ October 2023 attack.
Since then, more than 69,000 Palestinians, primarily civilians, have been murdered by the Israeli military’s retaliation campaign, according to Gaza’s health ministry, whose statistics are regarded as credible by the UN.