By Taceddin el-Abdulavi

RABAT

Morocco strongly condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday for recent remarks about his intention to annex the occupied West Bank if he is reelected.

Netanyahu's announcement is a "dangerous escalation and a new violation of international law and the resolutions of the international community,” Morocco's foreign ministry said in a statement.

It also said any violation of Palestinian rights is unacceptable and reiterated Morocco’s constant support for the Palestinian people.

Earlier this week, Netanyahu promised during an electoral rally that if he wins the general elections Sept. 17, he would annex parts of the occupied lands in the West Bank, including north of the Dead Sea and Jordan Valley.

The announcement caused a wide range of international condemnations by Arab and Islamic states and other countries.

Israeli prime minister hopes to win the upcoming elections to avoid being prosecuted on corruption charges.

* Writing by Jeyhun Aliyev