Table of Contents
Context
India joined over 100 countries in signing a UN statement criticising Israel’s recent measures in the West Bank, after initially skipping a joint appearance. The issue concerns settlement expansion and possible annexation moves in the occupied Palestinian territories.
What Was Israel’s Recent Action in the West Bank?
Israel reportedly moved to ease property acquisition rules for Israelis in the West Bank, expanding control over Palestinian land.
- Documentation Requirement for Landholders: The Israeli government proposed stricter documentation requirements for existing Palestinian landowners, raising fears of dispossession.
- Legal Changes in Knesset: The Israeli Knesset advanced legislative measures enabling broader civilian settlement expansion and possibly facilitating annexation.
- Annexation Moves: Some proposals aimed to integrate West Bank territories more formally into Israel’s administrative and legal system.
- Demographic Alteration: Critics argue that settlement expansion alters the demographic composition of occupied territories, undermining the two-state solution.
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About the West Bank |
| ● The West Bank is a territory east of Israel and west of Jordan. Israel captured it from Jordan in the 1967 Six-Day War. Most countries consider it occupied Palestinian territory.
Why is it disputed? ● Palestinians want the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) as part of a future independent state. ● Israel maintains security control and has built Jewish settlements there, which Palestinians and much of the world say are illegal. Why Are Settlements Considered Illegal? Fourth Geneva Convention: Article 49 prohibits an occupying power from transferring its civilian population into occupied territory. UN Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016): This resolution states that Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories have no legal validity. International Court of Justice (ICJ) Opinion: The ICJ has held that Israeli settlement policies violate international law.
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What Did Other Countries Protest?
- Joint Statement at UN: More than 100 countries and international organisations signed a statement condemning Israel’s unilateral measures.
- US Position: The United States did not join the joint condemnation statement.
- UN Secretary-General’s Position: UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that new measures risk dispossessing Palestinians. He stated such actions are destabilising and unlawful under international law.
India’s Position
- Traditional Stand: India historically supports the Palestinian cause and a sovereign Palestinian state based on 1967 borders.
- Initial Hesitation: India initially skipped the joint appearance, likely due to diplomatic sensitivities before PM’s visit to Israel.
- Later Signing of Statement: India eventually signed the joint statement, aligning with international consensus on international law principles.
What Could Have Led India to Sign?
- Balancing Foreign Policy: India seeks to balance its strategic partnership with Israel and its historical support for Palestine.
- International Law Consistency: India traditionally opposes unilateral territorial changes globally.
- Multilateral Image: Remaining absent could have harmed India’s image as a supporter of a rules-based international order.
- Domestic Political Considerations: Opposition parties criticised the initial abstention, increasing diplomatic pressure.
- Global South Positioning: India positions itself as the voice of the Global South, which broadly supports Palestinian rights. E..g Many BRICS and Global South countries oppose annexation policies.
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