Annexation Guide

Annexation by increment: A threat to Israelis and Palestinians

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1. What is the guide about?

This guide seeks to describe the nature, likelihood and impact of annexation of parts of the West Bank by Israel and what those seeking peace for all people in Israel and Palestine can do. The guide was prepared by Stewart Mills and edited by Nell Potter.

2. What is the situation?

On 20 April 2020, Benjamin Netanyahu, leader of the Likud Party and Benny Gantz, leader of the Blue and White Alliance, signed a Coalition Agreement to form an emergency unity Government of Israel. ‘According to the deal, Netanyahu can advance legislation to annex parts of the West Bank starting July 1, on the condition that the move is supported by the U.S. administration'.

3. What has Prime Minister Netanyahu said earlier about annexation?

On 3 January 2019, Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked head of the Israeli extreme right-wing party Hayamin Hehadash, proposed annexing Area C in the West Bank, imposing full Israeli sovereignty there, and granting Israeli residency or citizenship to Palestinians living in those areas.  This policy was made in the lead up to Israel’s first election on 9 April 2019. Bennet was the Education Minister and a member of the Israeli cabinet.

On 7 April 2019, Prime Minister Netanyahu promised to annex Jewish settlements in the West Bank (he refers to this as Judea and Samaria) if he won the election .

On 11 September 2019, Prime Minister Netanyahu promised if he won the September election he would annex the Jordan Valley and the northern Dead Sea, amounting to about a third of the West Bank.

Overview of the Document

American Jewish Opposition To Annexation
Part (I) The Promise To Annex Parts Of The West Bank
1. What Is The Guide About?
2. What Is The Situation?
3. What Has Prime Minister Netanyahu Said Earlier About Annexation?
Part (Ii) Context
4. What Is the Status Of The West Bank, Palestine?
5. Map of Israel And Palestine
Map 1. Israel And Palestine
6. What Is The Area Of Israel And Palestine In Comparison To The British Mandate Of Palestine? 5
7. What Are The Oslo Accords?                
Map 2. The Oslo Accords – Areas A, B And C.
8. What Could A Two State Solution Look Like For Israel And West Bank, Palestine?
Maps 3-5. Geneva Initiative, Annexation Of Area C Or The Us/Trump Plan
Map 6. ‘Firing Zones’ Within The West Bank
Map 7. Archaeological Sites Within The West Bank
11. Israeli Settlements And Outposts In The West Bank
Figure 2. How Has The Israeli Settler Population Increased In The West Bank?
Map 8. Settlements Surrounding Jerusalem, Bethlehem And Jericho.
12. What Are The Ratio And Number Of Israelis Settlers Per Palestinian Population?
13. What Does Occupation Look Like In Hebron? What Is Area H1 And H2?
Part (Iii) Annexation
14. What Is Annexation?
15. Why Is Annexation A Bad Thing?
16. What Is The Spin Used By The Pro-Annexation Movement In Israel?
17. What Territory Has Israel Annexed Already De Jure (I.E. By Israeli Law)?
19. What Territory Does Israel Exercise Overall Authority I.E. Either By De Facto Or De Jure Sovereignty?
20. What Area Do Palestinians Have Limited Control?
21. What Has Israel Already De Facto Annexed?
22. What Annexed Territory Has The United States Recognised, Despite In Contravention Of International Law?
23. What Is The Situation Of Palestinian Christians?
24. What Is The Situation In The Jordan Valley (Area C)?
25. What Is The Likelihood Of Annexation Occurring By 1 July 2020?
26. ‘Isn’t It Better To Just Wait And See, About Annexation. Hasn’t Netanyahu Made The Same Promises Before’?
27. Is There A Likelihood Of Annexation By Increment?
28. How Has Prime Minister Netanyahu Already ‘Halted The Fulfilment Of The Oslo Accords’?
29. Is The Crime Of Apartheid Occurring Under Israel’s Authority?
30. Why Does Israel Want To Annex Parts Of The West Bank At This Time?
31. What Does New Israel Fund Australia Say?
32. What Does The Alp Say?
33. What Do The Australian Greens Say?
34. Why Has The Executive Council Of Australian Jewry Not Commented?
35. Why Has The Zionist Federation Of Australia Not Commented?
36. Why Has The Minister Of Foreign Affairs Not Commented?
Appendix
1. Readings
2. References
3. Annexation Examples
4. Article 47 Of The Iv Geneva Convention (Prohibition Of Annexation)
5. Example Of The IDF Conducting Arrests And Raids In Area A In Defiance Of The Oslo Peace Accords
6. Video Of Former Shin Bet Director Speaking Against Annexation (J Street Forum)
7. Advisory Opinion Of The ICJ [De Facto Annexation]
8. Special Rapporteur Of The Commission On Human Rights – 2003 [De Facto Annexation]



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