1. Please describe the backdrop to Israel’s threat of annexation of the West Bank. What are the main factors currently at play?

AQEL TAQAZ: The zionist project has always been to create a “Greater State of Israel” step by step. In 1948, at the foundation of Israel, they occupied more than 26 per cent of the territories designated as the state of Palestine, once established, according to UN Resolution 181. 

In 1967, Israel would have gone on to occupy the whole of Palestine if it could have done so. However, owing to the international situation and the demographics of these areas at the time – “the facts on the ground” – this was not sustainable for Israel. This does not mean that the vision completely died away, though the establishment of a Palestinian state would have put paid to such Israeli designs. 

Fast forward to the present day and the administration of Benjamin Netanyahu has taken full advantage of the election of Donald Trump as US President. Trump has proceeded – with complete disregard for international agreements, protocols and even laws – to offer his full and unconditional support to Israel, whether by recognising Jerusalem as the sole capital of Israel and transferring the US embassy there from Tel Aviv and recognising Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which is Syrian territory, or by his so-called “deal of the century,” fully co-ordinated between his and Netanyahu’s administrations. An additional exacerbating factor has been the change in position of several Arab countries, which, despite the rhetoric emanating from their capitals, would sooner co-operate with Israel against their common sworn enemy… Iran. 

2. Please can you explain why the threatened annexation is so fundamental and urgent in respect of the Palestinian people?

AT: I must be very clear and succinct here. Annexation would constitute the “final nail in the coffin” for the Palestinian people’s dream of statehood and self-determination. It would essentially eradicate the possibility of a two-state solution. With the illegal settlements, practically, there is little space, but with annexation there is no space whatsoever for any state. Any Palestinian entity will be physically surrounded by Israel, cutting off the connection with Jordan, and signifying, in practical terms, perpetual occupation. No Palestinian could possibly countenance this.

3. Is the Israeli government wholly united in its intention to annex the West Bank?

AT: In mainstream Israeli politics there are no significant differences on the principle of annexation itself. This is especially the case with regards to the current governing coalition and other generally right-wing politicians. 

However, there are differences amongst them which might be referred to as “tactical.” For example, some of them believe that, for security reasons, the issue of annexation should be approached more cautiously, gradually and without making a huge noise. Annexation and occupation by stealth! The only forces in Israeli politics with a clear, principled, and unequivocal position towards annexation are the Communist Party of Israel and the Joint List, which is majority-Palestinian. (Ofer Cassif is the only Jew on the Joint List.) Of course, there are other progressive elements comprised of pro-peace and left-oriented activists, though they lack serious influence. 

4. What is the interest of the Trump administration in what is happening? What does the US seek to gain from it? 

AT: I believe that the US in general, and Trump in particular, are supporting – and indeed have helped initiate this crisis – for two main reasons.

Firstly, Trump has his eye on the US presidential election in November, amidst an increasingly fraught situation for his political base. Thus, he is looking to shore-up support from the pro-Israel lobby and neo-conservative camps in Washington. 

Secondly, Israel is the only country in that entire region [the Middle East] where the government and large parts of the society it oversees are of a friendly disposition towards US interests – the only country with which the US can be said to have a real existential alliance. That is not to say that I believe that under a Democrat president or administration there would be any dramatic change in this regard – or any shift in the general policy of deference towards the state of Israel and silence on the crimes and injustices perpetrated in its name. 

5. What forces at home or internationally can the Palestinian people turn to for support?

AT: The situation in the Middle East, and especially in Palestine, is complicated to state the least, and it is abundantly clear that Palestinian aspirations and dreams cannot be realised through sheer force of will. 

The interrelationship between the aggression and power of the state of Israel and the lack of meaningful support to the beleaguered Palestinian people from the Arab countries and international community, mean that Israel is completely unrestrained in its flagrant disregard for and violation of international law and the relevant UN resolutions on Palestine. 

Therefore, I believe the only forces upon which the Palestinian people can truly rely for support are the left, democratic and peace-loving forces; trade unions; and all those who respect human rights, and the right of a people for freedom, independence, and self-determination.   

6. What can we do in Britain – as workers, trade unionists, citizens, consumers – to support the Palestinian people at this time?

AT: In Britain – a country that bears huge responsibility for the situation in Palestine, despite the continual refusal of its government to own up to this – we believe that the people and groups that represent them, particularly in the trade union movement, can play a significant role in forcing their government to recognise the state of Palestine within the borders as they stood on June 4 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and the issue of the right of return for Palestinian refugees resolved in accordance with UN Resolution 194. 

Awareness of the plight of the Palestinians should be continually maintained and the British government should be lobbied so that pressure is brought to bear on Israel to adhere to international law and UN resolutions. Trade unions can play a major role in this in many ways – through education, training and awareness-raising amongst its activists and members; joint projects; solidarity work; and fully participating in projects of the international labour movement in support of the Palestinian cause.

At individual and community level, awareness-raising of the situation in Palestine should take place, together with promotion of these issues to as wide a base as possible. In such initiatives, the reality of the Palestinians should be made clear, along with myth-busting to counter the false narrative that is often put about.

People should be encouraged to support BDS activities. Solidarity with the Palestinian people along with consistent condemnation of the occupation and Israeli violations will help to bring about an end to this situation, which continually threatens world peace. Without a resolution of the Palestinian question, there can be no hope of peace or stability in that region or internationally. The brutal and illegal occupation of Palestine must be ended. This is an imperative!  

Dr Aqel Taqaz is the secretary of Palestinian Committee for Peace and Solidarity and is a prominent figure in the left forces in Palestine. He is on the Secretariat of the EC of the World Peace Council for the Middle East.