Britain Warns Israel Not To Try To Annex The West Bank After The Recognition Of The Palestinian State

British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper. (Wikimedia Commons/Andy Taylor/Home Office)

JAKARTA - British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper said he had "asserted" to his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Sa'ar, Israel "must" annex the West Bank region in retaliation for the recognition of several countries against the Palestinian State.

Britain together with Australia, Canada, and Portugal announced the recognition of the Palestinian State on Sunday, referring to the alarming situation in the Gaza Strip and pushing for a peaceful solution to the two countries.

"We have confirmed that this decision we are making is the best way to respect the security of Israel and also the security of Palestine," Foreign Minister Cooper told the BBC, quoted from The Times of Israel September 22.

"This is about protecting peace and justice, and most importantly, Middle East security, and we will continue to work closely with all parties in the region so that it can be made happen," he said.

Speaking to reporters ahead of a high-level international conference on the peaceful settlement of Palestinian issues and the implementation of a two-state solution, which will be held Monday evening local time at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York, where France and other European countries are scheduled to issue a similar declaration, Foreign Minister Cooper explained, admitting Palestine is about protecting peace, justice and vital security for the Middle East, and pledging to continue working with all parties across the region to achieve this.

"As we recognize Israel, we must also recognize the Palestinian right to establish their own country," he said, quoted from WAFA.

Earlier, Israeli officials again cited the annexation of the West Bank region in response to the recognition of the Palestinian State on Sunday.

National Security Minister and far-right politician Itamar Ben Gvir called the move a "gift to the killers of women and children", calling on Israel to respond immediately by annexing the West Bank and disbanding the Palestinian Authority, pledging to push for the proposal at the next cabinet meeting.

Meanwhile, ultranationalist Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich of the Religious Zionism party said the same thing, stating: "Times when Britain and other countries decide our future has ended. The only response to this hostile act is full sovereignty over the West Bank and the permanent elimination of the idea of a Palestinian state from the agenda."

Other cabinet members voiced the same rejection. Culture Minister Miki Zohar also called for an annexation, while Education Minister Yoav Kisch said: "Israel will not allow the creation of a Palestinian state aimed at destroying a Jewish country. This is the right time to impose sovereignty in the West Bank."