Israel Doesn't Consider Aneksasi Wilayah Bank Barat Which Is Controlled By The Palestinian Authority

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar. (Wikimedia Commons/DedaSasha)

JAKARTA - Israel will not consider annexing the West Bank region which is currently under the control of the Palestinian Authority (PA), said Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar.

Speaking to the Italian daily Corriere Della Sera, Saar said, "There is no intention of discussing the annexation of the Palestinian Authority's territory because we do not want to control Palestine," quoted from The Times of Israel, September 25.

"What can be discussed, but has not yet been decided, is the application of Israeli law to the Israeli community that is there and not under the Palestinian Authority," he explained.

Discussions will take place after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns from Washington next week.

In accordance with the 1990s Oslo Agreement, some parts of the West Bank are under the control of the Palestinian Authority, while others are under Israeli control although not under Israeli sovereignty and others are under the administrative control of PA and control of Israel's security.

Earlier, member of the coalition of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government encouraged Israel to annex parts of the West Bank, especially the Jordan Valley, following the recognition of a number of countries, including Britain to Australia, over the Palestinian State.

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."

Meanwhile, 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.

"We have emphasized 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.

"It's about protecting peace and justice, and most importantly, Middle East security, and we will continue to work closely with all parties in the region to make it happen," he said.