Protest in Gaza Against Israel's West Bank Annexation Plan

Protesters gathered in Gaza on July 1 against Israel’s planned annexation of sections of the West Bank.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, meanwhile, urged Israel to abandon the plan, in an article published in the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, as well as by the British government.

Discussion of the proposed annexation had been due to begin on July 1, Reuters said, but Gabi Ashkenazi, Israel’s foreign minister, said this was not likely.

Defence Minister Benny Gantz said unemployment and the COVID-19 pandemic were higher priorities to be dealt with.

Johnson wrote that he feared the plans would “fail in their objective of securing Israel’s borders and will be contrary to Israel’s own long-term interests.” Credit: Muthana Al-Najjar via Storyful