In response to the recent Israeli occupation plans to annex parts of the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), the
Palestinian Leadership has declared the following points.
The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the State of Palestine are absolved of all agreements and
understandings, including their commitments, with both the US and Israeli governments. Over the past 27 years, the PLO has maintained solid and consistent commitment and adherence to signed agreements,
including constructive responses to US administrations, international initiatives and calls for dialogue and
negotiations, not limited to the signing of the Oslo Accord. Similarly, on the basis of UN resolutions, the State of
Palestine has continued to seek resolutions to continued conflict, while maintaining its commitment to peace agreements.
Yet, the Israeli government continues to violate these agreements and international law to entirely undermine any
attempt at a peaceful advancement in order to purposely undermine any progression towards a two-state solution.
Demonstrated by, yet not exclusive to, accelerating its settlement activities, including the systematic expansion within
Area C, land and wage war, and continuous siege on Palestinians in Gaza. The US administration’s continuous and
belligerent interference is inexcusable and is, indeed, also responsible of providing impunity and protection from any
accountability of Israel’s violations. The unveiling of the so-called “Deal of the Century” and subsequently the
annexation plans, are simply an accumulation of longstanding US and Israeli policies.
In this context, the Palestinian leadership, reaffirms its dedication and commitment to the two-state solution on 1967
borders as a solution to the Palestine-Israel conflict. Undoubtedly, the two-state solution, in the context of
self-determination, international law and existing UN solutions, will cease to exist, as a result of the annexation
plan. Yet, the establishment of a two-state solution is an obligation by the State of Israel and one which must be
respected. In order to adhere to international law, three fundamental policies maintain: stopping Israeli colonial
settlements which entirely undermine this process; defending the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and
statehood by reaffirming the principles of international law and UN resolutions; leading efforts to formulate a
multilateral and credible approach to ending the Palestine-Israel conflict.
Based on the Palestinian Leadership decision and in accordance with International Law, Israel now holds the
responsibilities and obligations as the occupying authority over the OPT, the power responsible for, yet not limited to,
the protection of the civilian population under occupation. Nevertheless, the Palestinian leadership will continue to shoulder its responsibilities towards the Palestinian people,
by protecting national institutions, asserting sovereignty, as well as affirming the state of Palestine on the
international stage. Additionally, based on principles of human rights, social justice and good governance, the
Palestinian leadership will continue to protect and strengthen its system of governance. In addition, The State of
Palestine will no longer hesitate to accede to international agreements and conventions which have yet to be joined.
Nevertheless, the Palestinian leadership reaffirm its firm commitment to fighting international terrorism and in keeping
in line with our commitment to international law and relevant resolutions.
The Palestinian leadership calls on the international community, in particular Australia, New Zealand and Pacific
countries, to not only reject and condemn the so-called “Deal of the Century” and US and Israel policies, of which
severely violate international legitimacy and agreements signed, but to take swift and deterrent actions, such as
imposing serious sanctions, in order to prevent the Israeli occupying state from implementing its outrightly abusive
agenda and its unequivocal attempt at the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians while outrightly denying them their most
basic human rights. It is the right of the Palestinian people to seek accountability for crimes against them and one
which the international community must also endorse.