Britain ‘concerned’ about rumours of Israeli plans to annex parts of the West Bank

Britain says it is concerned by recent reports that suggest that Israel will move to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, recognised by the international community to be a Palestinian territory.

On Tuesday, after unveiling his long-delayed plan for peace between the Israelis and Palestinians, US President Donald Trump produced a map that would see stretches of land Israel has long encroached on in the West Bank transferred within its borders.

There have been reports Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could move as early as Sunday to bring annexation proposal to the cabinet for approval. These measures would be designed to impose its sovereignty to strategic swathes of the Jordan Valley and all Jewish settlements in the West Bank, taking in up to 30 per cent of the Palestinian territory. In a statement on Friday, Britain’s Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: “The United Kingdom is concerned by reports of possible moves toward annexation of parts of the West Bank by Israel.

“Any such unilateral moves would be damaging to renewed efforts to re-start peace negotiations, and contrary to international law. Any changes to the status quo cannot be taken forward without an agreement negotiated by the parties themselves.”

As I have been saying the reaction of US allies incl UK and Arab States will be soft on Trump re plan (they have to), but critical of Israel for any annexation (but not enough to stop it) #StealOfTheCentury pic.twitter.com/qArvAfDMNn

Since the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, some Israeli leaders have wanted a permanent border for Israel along the Jordan river, a prospect that was partially embraced by the Trump administration.

Flanked by Mr Netanyahu in the White House on Tuesday when he announced the plan, Mr