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Palestine’s deputy ambassador to the UN accused Israel on Friday of carrying out what he called a systematic policy of annexation and territorial expansion in the occupied Palestinian territories, warning that prospects for a two-state solution were rapidly disappearing.
Majed Bamya made the remarks during an Arria-formula meeting at UN headquarters focused on challenges facing Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
“We are not dealing with a fringe group of settlers or a couple of rogue ministers,” Bamya told diplomats.
“We are dealing with a systematic policy whose objective is clear: to grab maximum Palestinian land with minimum Palestinians, whatever the means, including brutal force against civilians,” he said.
Bamya said the international community must do more to deter Israeli actions in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip.
He argued that Israeli control over Palestinian territories already amounts to de facto annexation.
“Israel has effectively ensured control over 60% of the West Bank and 60% of the Gaza Strip,” Bamya said.
“The annexation we speak of, condemned and rejected by all of you, is already our reality. So Israel, for all purposes, is destroying the two-state solution,” he added.
The meeting was organized by the Permanent Missions of Denmark, France, Greece, Latvia and the U.K.
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Bamya criticized Israeli settlement policies, saying security arguments were being used to justify territorial expansion.
“Israel illegally enables hundreds of thousands of settlers to come and live on Palestinian land, and then explains that their security requires seizing Palestinian land, massive military presence and arming these settlers,” he said.
“It’s about colonization, not security,” he added.
He also questioned whether current international measures were enough to influence Israeli policy.
“Israel will stop at nothing to achieve its aims,” Bamya said. “The question is, what is the international community willing to do, and are the actions that are already underway of a nature to deter Israel?”
Bamya appealed for greater international protection for Palestinians while rejecting violence as a response to the conflict.
“What about the right of Palestinians to defend themselves? What about their right to protection? What about their right to security?” he asked.
“We are not asking to arm Palestinians in response. We are not preaching violence as a response. We are asking for international protection — the one they deserve. Where is it?” he said.
Bamya urged world powers to help preserve hopes for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
“We are trying, desperately trying, to find a peaceful way forward,” he said. “We are trying to convince our people that there is a peaceful path that leads to their freedom, that leads to a normal life in their land, that leads to dignity and liberty.”
“Help us show there is one,” Bamya added. “Many of them can’t see it. And can we honestly blame them?”
He warned that time may be running out for a negotiated peace.
“We all have a responsibility to chart that path and end the occupation and achieve peace before it is too late,” Bamya said. “If it’s not already too late, we need to act.”
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