OIC set to discuss Netanyahu’s annexation remarks

ANKARA

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation will hold an extraordinary meeting of foreign ministers on Sunday to discuss Israeli premier Binyamin Netanyahu’s remarks on the intention to annex some parts of Palestine's West Bank.

In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said the country would be represented by Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

Earlier this week, Netanyahu, appealing to his voters ahead of polls slated for Sept. 17, said: "I announce my intention to apply Israeli sovereignty to the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea, if the Israeli citizens elect me."

Roughly 70,000 Palestinians -- along with some 9,500 Jewish settlers -- currently live in the Jordan Valley, which is a large, fertile strip of land that accounts for roughly one-quarter of the West Bank's overall territory.

Turkey, Arab League and European countries said they were concerned by Netanyahu's annexation statement, with UN secretary general’s spokesman Stephane Dujarric said annexation plan would violate international law.

International law views both the West Bank and East Jerusalem as "occupied territories" and considers all Jewish settlement-building activity there as illegal.