RAMALLAH — The Palestinian government has strongly condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for displaying a map that excluded the West Bank, calling it a blatant move toward annexation.
“Netanyahu's map reveals the truth of the colonial and racist agendas of the extremist right-wing government,” the Palestinian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The Israeli leader was seen on Monday standing in front of a wall-sized digital map that omitted the West Bank, which Palestinians see as an open declaration of Israel’s intent to annex the occupied territory.
"Netanyahu continues and repeatedly uses a map that includes the West Bank as part of the occupation state, openly recognizing this racist colonial crime, and disregarding international legitimacy, its resolutions, the international will for peace, and signed agreements,” the ministry stated.
“This behavior is a blatant challenge to international efforts to halt the war of extermination and displacement, and to revive the peace process based on the two-state solution,” it added.
The Foreign Ministry underscored that Netanyahu’s use of the map reflects his "racist, expansionist colonial policy being practiced on the ground in full view of the world."
"We view with great concern this flagrant violation of international law, especially since the occupation is committing heinous crimes against our people, embodying an attempt to deny Palestinian existence and their legitimate national rights,” the statement continued.
Meanwhile, in Jenin, the Israeli army's military operation has continued for the seventh consecutive day. Jenin’s Mayor, Nidal al-Obaidi, likened the ongoing Israeli offensive to an "earthquake," estimating the damage at around 500 million shekels ($135.2 million).
"The destruction caused by Israeli forces is immense, including severe damage to infrastructure such as water and communication lines, and the targeting of electricity transformers," al-Obaidi said.
The assault on Tulkarem was also part of a large-scale military campaign, the largest in two decades, launched by the Israeli army in the northern West Bank last week. At least 30 Palestinians have been killed since the offensive began, alongside widespread destruction in the area, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
The international community has been alarmed by these developments. On July 19, the International Court of Justice declared Israel's decades-long occupation of Palestinian land unlawful, demanding the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. — Agencies
