CAFOD statement on annexation of the West Bank

View from Mount Nebo towards the Holy Land. Photo credit: Farzana Fidai

CAFOD has responded to the Israeli government's proposed annexation of West Bank territory after 1 July.

Pope Francis warned of 'the danger of inequitable solutions and hence a prelude to new crises' at his meeting with the Bishops of the Mediterranean earlier this year. He was speaking of the instability and conflict affecting the region and highlighted the still unresolved conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.

The government of Israel has threatened to unilaterally annex large swathes of West Bank land as soon as 1 July. This will be a serious breach of international law and as Pope Francis says a prelude to "inequitable solutions" and "new crises".

We are deeply concerned about the impact of annexation on the lives of Palestinians and Israelis: prospects for both people to enjoy a just peace with freedom and security based on international law, where human dignity is secured and all people have the opportunity to flourish will be demolished.

CAFOD joins its voice to the many who are urging the Israeli government not to take this disastrous step.

Read the joint statement from Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby

We urge the UK government to put its full weight behind calls for the Israeli government to desist and make it clear that should annexation occur, the UK will take concrete and robust action to defend the rules-based international order.