Israeli settlements are a flagrant violation of international law

A United Nations spokesman announced that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Israel on Monday to stop and reverse troubling decisions on settlement activity in the occupied West Bank.

flagrant violation

“The Secretary-General reiterates that the settlements are a flagrant violation of international law. They are a major obstacle to achieving a viable two-state solution and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace,” UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq added in a statement.

“The expansion of these illegal settlements is a major driver of tension and violence and greatly increases humanitarian needs,” he added.

American annoyance

On Monday, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller confirmed that the United States was “extremely disturbed” by the Israeli government’s intention to approve thousands of building permits in the occupied West Bank.

The spokesman added that Washington calls on Israel to return to the dialogue aimed at stopping the escalation.

‘an obstacle to peace’

“The United States, in accordance with its longstanding policy, opposes such unilateral measures that make the realization of the two-state solution more difficult and constitute an obstacle to peace,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

A plan to expand settlement

On Sunday, the Israeli government approved a plan to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank, in a move strongly condemned by the Palestinian and Jordanian governments.

Under this plan, the procedures for approving settlement construction will be greatly reduced, as well as making the decision regarding settlement construction in the hands of Bezalel Smotrich, the Minister of Finance and responsible for settlement in the Israeli Ministry of Defense.

Changing the status quo for 25 years

According to the Israeli “Kan” radio, the decision requires that construction plans in the settlements be advanced without the approval of the political level, contrary to the situation that has existed for 25 years.

Previously, the procedures used required that the Prime Minister and Minister of Defense approve any phase of the building plans separately, through 4 or more different approval processes, and it would continue for several years.