Saudi Arabia called for an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in light of the issue The Jordan Valley accounts for around one-third of the West Bank, which Israel occupied in the 1967 Six-Day War DUBAI: The European Union called out Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on his plan to annex the Jordan Valley in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, saying it undermined the prospects of peace. The EU condemnation follows comments from Arab leaders criticizing Netanyahu’s remarks, with Saudi Arabia leading the call, describing it as “a very dangerous escalation.” The Kingdom and Bahrain particularly released statements criticizing the plan, as well as other international organizations such as the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The controversial Netanyahu reaffirmed his pledge to impose Israeli sovereignty on West Bank settlements during a visit to an Israeli settlement last Sunday, saying there “will be no more displacements” and all the communities will be “part of the state of Israel.” The OIC said it will hold an emergency foreign ministers’ meeting on Sunday to discuss an “Israeli escalation” following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pre-election pledge to annex part of the West Bank. “At the request of Saudi Arabia, the organization will hold an emergency meeting on Sunday at the level of foreign ministers in Jeddah... to discuss the serious Israeli escalation,” the 57-member pan-Islamic body said on Twitter on Wednesday. In a statement issued by the Royal Court, Saudi Arabia called for an emergency meeting for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at the level of foreign ministers, "to discuss this issue, develop an urgent plan of action and review the attitudes towards Israel, to address this announcement and take the necessary measures." “Saudi Arabia condemns and categorically rejects the Israeli prime minister’s announcement that if he is re-elected next week, he will immediately annex a part of the 1967 occupied West Bank," the statement said. ALSO READ: Netanyahu sparks anger with vow to annex Jordan Valley "The Saudi Kingdom also highlights that this announcements is a very dangerous escalation against the Palestinian people and constitutes a flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations, the principles of international law and state norms. "It also considered that this announcement would undermine and throw away any efforts to achieve a fair and lasting peace because there is no peace without restoring the occupied Palestinian territories, with the Palestinian people enjoying their undiminished rights." The statement said "Israel’s attempts to impose a de-facto policy will not obliterate the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people." "While condemning and rejecting this announcement, Saudi Arabia also affirms that the Arab and Islamic worlds preoccupation with many local and regional crises will not affect the Arab and Islamic countries and governments’ stance towards the Palestinian cause, and will not dismay the Arab nation -which affirmed its desire for peace through the Arab Peace Initiative- from addressing unilateral actions by Israel, ongoing attempts to change the facts of history and geography, and the violation of the legitimate Palestinian people rights.," it said. The United Nations had warned Netanyahu that “any Israeli decision to impose its laws, jurisdictions and administration in the occupied West Bank is without any international legal effect.” The Jordan Valley accounts for around one-third of the West Bank, which Israel occupied in the 1967 Six-Day War — a move never recognized by the international community. Senior Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi said Netanyahu was “not only destroying the two-state solution, he is destroying all chances of peace.” Jordan’s house speaker said Wednesday Netanyahu’s pledge could put the peace treaty with Israel “at stake.” “The house of representatives, rejecting all the racist statements coming from the leadership of the occupier, confirms that dealing with this occupier requires a new path that would place the peace treaty at stake,” Atef Al-Tawarneh said in remarks carried by official news agency Petra. He accused Israel of having “studiously broken all international treaties and (UN) resolutions.” Jordan and Israel have been bound by a peace treaty since 1994 but relations between the neighbors have been chronically tense. The peace accord is just the second between an Arab country and the Jewish state, after Egypt in 1979. On Tuesday Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said the move would “push the whole region toward violence.” Israeli settlements are located in what is known as Area C of the West Bank, which accounts for some 60 percent of the territory, including the vast majority of the Jordan Valley. Netanyahu said his annexation plans would not include Palestinian cities, such as the Jordan Valley’s Jericho. Netanyahu, who used a map of the Jordan Valley to illustrate his plans, said Trump’s peace parameters “will place before us a great challenge and also a great opportunity.” Russia also warned Wednesday that Netanyahu’s pledge could escalate tensions as the Israeli prime minister geared up to hold talks with President Vladimir Putin. The Russian foreign ministry said it was concerned over the Israeli leadership’s plan, saying its implementation could lead to a “sharp escalation of tensions in the region (and) undermine hopes for the establishment of long-awaited peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors.” Moscow pointed out that Netanyahu’s pre-election pledge drew a “sharp negative reaction” in the Arab world and reiterated its call for direct talks between Israel and Palestinians. On Thursday, Netanyahu plans to travel to the Russian resort of Sochi for talks with Putin as he fights to continue his reign as the country’s longest-serving prime minister. “The leaders will discuss regional issues including the situation in Syria, with an emphasis on tightening the military coordination mechanisms,” Netanyahu’s office said on Wednesday. Netanyahu is also expected to meet with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. Netanyahu also met with Putin in Moscow days ahead of Israel’s April 9 elections.