Two ex-leaders fear disappearance of Palestinian territories
Former Irish President Mary Robinson and former New Zealand PM Helen Clark have warned that Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank threatens the physical and political existence of Palestinian territories. They called for increased international accountability and potential trade sanctions against Israel.
Why it matters
This highlights growing international pressure and diplomatic concern regarding the viability of a two-state solution in the Middle East.
Israeli settlers build a new outpost at the Palestinian village of Azmut in the occupied West Bank on July 17, 2026. — AFP Former Ireland president Mary Robinson and ex-New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark are seen in the picture after they visit Israel, the occupied Palestinian territories, Jordan and Lebanon. — @pmofa/X comments Join our Whatsapp Channel Add Dawn as a trusted source JERUSALEM: Two former heads of government from the Elders group of international figures, founded by Nelson Mandela, warned on Friday of the potential disappearance of the Palestinian territories and called for an end to Israeli impunity.
The call from former Ireland president Mary Robinson and ex-New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark came after they visited Israel, the occupied Palestinian territories, Jordan and Lebanon.
They said in a statement that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government was seeking “to make Palestine disappear physically, economically, culturally and politically”.
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