WEST BANK, (Palestine Foundation Information Center), Hamas warned on Friday of the dangers posed by a decision by Israel’s army minister to transfer executive powers related to settlers in the occupied West Bank from the military to the Israeli police.
In a press statement, the Movement said the decision represents a dangerous step toward imposing de facto annexation and consolidating Israeli control over occupied Palestinian territory by applying Israeli laws there, in a blatant violation of international law.
“The transfer of these powers to the Israeli police, which falls under the authority of extremist minister Ben-Gvir, cannot be separated from the Israeli government’s policy of expanding settlements, imposing new realities in the West Bank, and providing greater protection and cover for escalating settler attacks and crimes against our people, their property and holy sites,” Hamas said.
The Movement warned against rapidly accelerating Israeli government measures aimed at changing the legal and political status of the occupied West Bank, imposing annexation and Judaization plans, and undermining the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and statehood. It stressed the need to confront these measures by all means.
Hamas called on Arab and Muslim countries, the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to take urgent political and diplomatic action to confront annexation and settlement plans and pressure Israel to halt these measures.
The Movement also called on the international community and the United Nations to assume their responsibilities, move beyond statements of condemnation and take concrete steps to halt Israeli plans, hold Israel accountable for its violations and crimes, and provide protection for the Palestinian people, their land and holy sites.
