Minister of Agriculture, Riyad al-Attari, made a statement to the state-owned “Voice of Palestine” radio after the discussion of a bill that envisages the implementation of Israeli laws in the West Bank in the area where national parks, nature reserves and monuments are located, in the Israeli Legislative Affairs Government Committee. made.
Attari stated that the purpose of the bill was “to continue the annexation process of the lands occupied in 1967 silently so as not to mobilize the public”.
Noting that Israel is trying to implement the law in nature reserves covering an area of approximately 500 thousand acres, Attari stated that the law covers the invasion of this area, which is spread over more than 120 regions in the West Bank.
Stating that this law will cause the Palestinian state to lose its natural resources and large areas of biodiversity, as well as attempting to Judaize and seize the Palestinian cultural heritage, Attari described the decision as “dangerous”.
Attari emphasized that 240 thousand acres of the 500 thousand-acre area classified as nature reserves by Israel is the personal property of Palestinian citizens.
Steps to facilitate annexation actions in the West Bank
In a written statement, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the oppressive practices of Israeli forces and their persecution of Palestinian citizens have reached high levels in order to facilitate Tel Aviv’s ongoing annexation actions in the West Bank.
Noting Israel’s efforts to enact more colonial bills and legislation, the last of which is the so-called annexation of national parks, nature reserves, national sites and monuments, the statement said the steps were “under an official Israeli policy aimed at stealing more Palestinian land.” was recorded.
Haaretz newspaper reported on May 24 that the Israeli Committee of Ministers for Legislative Affairs will discuss a draft law that will impose the application of Israeli laws in the nature reserves and monuments in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The bill in question authorizes the Israeli Ministry of the Interior to declare these areas occupied since 1967 as “Israel’s national areas”.