JAKARTA - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday called for a "firm response" from the United States and the international community to Israel's plan to tighten its control over the occupied West Bank.
During his visit to Oslo, President Abbas said he had discussed the issue with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, as well as the issue of Israeli settler violence and the freezing of "4 billion dollars" in funds intended for the Palestinian people.
"This serious violation requires a firm response from the US government and the international community because it hinders President (Donald) Trump's efforts and is a violation of international law," President Abbas told reporters, launching Al Arabiya from AFP (12/2).
Previously, US President Donald Trump expressed opposition to Israel's move to annex the occupied West Bank.
In an interview with the US-based media, Axios, Trump was asked for his response to the latest steps approved by the Israeli security cabinet regarding the area.
President Trump did not elaborate on the policy, but stressed, "I am against annexation."
"We already have enough things to think about right now. We don't need to deal with the West Bank," he said, quoted by Anadolu.
The Israeli Security Cabinet on Sunday approved a series of measures that would allow Israel to expand its control over areas administered by the Palestinian Authority under the Oslo accords that have been in place since the 1990s.
The plan, which has sparked international outrage, would also allow Jewish Israelis to buy West Bank land directly and allow Israeli authorities to manage certain religious sites even when the sites are in areas under the control of the Palestinian Authority.
Israel itself has occupied the West Bank since 1967.
Excluding East Jerusalem, which Israel annexed, more than 500,000 Israelis live in settlements and outposts across the West Bank, which are illegal under international law.
Around three million Palestinians live in the territory.
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