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Turkey renew rejection to plans by Israel to annex more of West Bank

KUWAIT, July 12 (KUNA) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan renewed his rejection on Sunday to plans by Israel to annex 30 percent of the West Bank.
In a press interview, carried out by Turkish news agency (Anadolu) Erdogan criticized the international community's "silence" on injustices committed by Tel Aviv in Palestine.
"Israel's announcement of the annexation plan of Palestinian settlements in the West Bank and Jordan Valley is a new step in the policy of occupation and persecution," Erdogan added.
"Although all the lands belonged to Palestine in 1947, Palestine has shrunk and Israel has got bigger over the years.
With the invasion of Jerusalem in 1967, a new phase began. Today, unfortunately, there is no longer a place called Palestine on the map.
Almost all of Palestine's lands have been swallowed by Israel. Now, Israel wants to occupy the remaining land.
The annexation plan aims for this goal," Erdogan added.
Erdogan urged the world to stop Israel's "lawless steps," stressing that Muslims had no prejudice or hostility towards Jewish and Israeli people.
"What we oppose is the Israeli government's invasive and unlawful policies," the Turkish leader said.
Israel declared earlier this month that it had postponed its plans to annex parts of the West Bank, but that it would "certainly happen in July." Palestinian officials have threatened to abolish bilateral agreements with Israel if it goes ahead with annexation, which would further undermine a two-state solution.
Turkey and much of the international community do not recognize Israel's sovereignty over the territories it has occupied since 1967. (end) rs.mb