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Palestinians fume over Israel's new settlement expansion

Xinhua, January 22, 2017 Adjust font size:

Palestinian presidency condemned Sunday the approval of Israeli authorities to build more settlement housing units in east Jerusalem and called for the implementation of the UN Security Council resolution on settlements.

Palestinian President Spokesperson Nabil Abu Rideinha said in a press statement published by the official Palestinian news Agency (WAFA) that the Israeli decision comes in defiance of the Security Council, especially after resolution 2334 that has affirmed the illegality of settlements.

Abu Rudeinah called on the Security Council to move promptly, abiding by resolution 2334 "to put an end to the extremist Israeli government policy that is seeking to destroy the two state solution."

The presidential spokesperson said that the leadership is going to start communication with Arab and friendly countries to move in the Security Council to stop Israel from acting as a country above the law.

The Israeli public radio reported Sunday that the district committee of settlement at the Israeli municipality of Jerusalem has approved the contraction of 566 housing units for Jewish settlers in East Jerusalem.

The radio reported that there are nearly 11,000 new units pending approval in different areas in Jerusalem.

This Israeli move came only two days after U.S. President Donald Trump was officially sworn into office.

Member of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Executive Committee Ahmad Majdalani said "this Israeli decision comes to test the seriousness of the new American administration with regards to settlements and the extent to which it would pull a diplomatic and political cover for the Israeli government's settlement construction policy."

Majdalani stressed the importance of respecting UN resolutions legitimacy and the implementation of the recent anti -settlement decision 2334.

On Dec. 23, the UNSC voted in favor of a resolution that condemns Israeli settlements and calls on Israel to halts its settlement activity in the Palestinian territories.

The issue of Jewish settlements in the West Bank was deemed illegal by many world powers, including the United States, China and the European Union and has contributed to the stalling of the peace process.

The Palestinians want East Jerusalem, which was occupied by Israel in 1967, as the capital of their future state, while Israel says all of Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the state of Israel. Endit