The Palestinian Authority, the European Union, UK, and Turkey have criticized Israeli plans to push for the construction of 2,300 new settlement units in the West Bank.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said the Israeli government prolongs its settling activities in the occupied Palestinian territories, with the support of the current US administration.
Maliki stated that the Palestinian leadership is moving at several levels to counter the Israeli settlement escalation, including within the framework of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
He called for the strongest international condemnation of the Israeli escalation in the settlement activities which destroy any chance for a two-state solution and represent a clear violation of the UN resolutions.
Israel recently approved plans to build more than 2,300 housing units in the West Bank. In addition, the Higher Planning Council agreed that plans for 1,466 settler homes would be deposited, and plans for 838 homes would be validated, according to Peace Now.
The approval followed a cabinet meeting last month during which 715 building permits were approved for Palestinians in Area C under Israeli control in the West Bank. In recent decades, only dozens of Palestinian homes have been granted building permits.
However, Palestinians rejected the bargain saying their right to build is non-negotiable and could not be equated with settlements.
The anti-settlement organization Peace Now condemned the government's decision, asserting that the “approval of settlement plans is part of a disastrous government policy designed to prevent the possibility of peace and a two-state solution, and to annex part or all of the West Bank.”
The organization stated that linking thousands of settlers’ building permits and the small number of housing units for Palestinians confirms Israeli government's discriminatory policy, Peace Now said.
The European Union criticized Israeli settlement plans in the occupied territory and called on Israel to cease the policy of settlement construction and expansion.
The EU expects the Israeli authorities to fully meet their obligations as an occupying power under International Humanitarian Law, and to cease the policy of settlement construction and expansion, of designating land for exclusive Israeli use, and of denying Palestinian development.
“The EU will continue to support a resumption of a meaningful process towards a negotiated two-state solution, the only realistic and viable way to fulfill the legitimate aspirations of both parties.”
The statement concluded by asserting EU’s support to resumption of a meaningful process towards a negotiated two-state solution, “the only realistic and viable way to fulfill the legitimate aspirations of both parties.”
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab spoke out against the project of 2,304 new settlement units in the West Bank, saying it is in contradiction to the peace process.
“We urge Israel to halt its settlement expansion, which is contrary to international law and promotes the effective annexation of the West Bank,” noted Raab.
The Minister urged Israel to halt the planned construction, adding that while the Israelis should curtail their own expansion, they ought to “develop improved mechanisms that allow Palestinians to build within Area C.”
On Wednesday, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry condemned Israel for approving another housing project in the occupied West Bank.
The Ministry issued a statement saying Israel continues to usurp Palestinians’ rights by approving the construction of over 2,300 settlements.
It strongly condemned the illegitimate policy of Israel that continues to openly and recklessly violate international law with a policy of expanding illegitimate settlements.
“We refuse Israel's efforts to eliminate the two-state solution approach and to make the occupation permanent and reiterate that we will always stand by the righteous cause of the brotherly Palestinian people and Palestine,” concluded the statement.
