The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) Monday denounced the newly-approved Israeli preferential plan for West Bank settlements, saying "Israel is systematically destroying the peace process."

"In all words, a real mockery is taking place and destroying the peace process systemically," Saeb Erekat, chief Palestinian negotiator, told Voice of Palestine radio.

Erekat made his remarks one day after Israeli government approved a plan to increase funds to Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

On Sunday, the Israeli cabinet endorsed a list of national priority areas eligible for extra funds and benefits, which included some Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

"We condemn this decision which is also an evidence that the Israeli government is refusing the two-state solution," Erekat added.

"Israel sets at defiance to international efforts to achieve peace by financing the settlement, imposing a blockade and a closure on the Palestinian people and trying to make Jerusalem Jewish," he added.

The settlements, classified as illegal under international law, remain as one of the main obstacles to restart peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

(Xinhua News Agency December 15, 2009)