Israel plans to build 2,500 illegal settler units in West Bank
The Israeli regime has drawn up a plan to build 2,500 illegal settler units in the occupied West Bank in defiance of widespread calls to halt such unauthorized construction activities in the Palestinian lands.
Israeli media reported on Monday that the settler units will be erected in the neighborhood of Gilo situated in East Jerusalem al-Quds’ southwest.
The project dubbed “olive trees district” covers an area of some 200 dunams (50 acres) in the occupied territories.
Most of the ground allocated for the illegal settler units is under private ownership, and some 30 percent belongs to Palestinians who live abroad.
The project contractors recently held a meeting with local authorities, during which they called for the “immediate execution” of the initiative.
On Tuesday, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the construction project, saying Tel Aviv continues to disrespect international calls to end its illegal settlement activities in the occupied lands.
The ministry further called on the international community to hold Israel responsible for the grave consequences of its obstruction of the so-called two-state solution.
Last week, the Tel Aviv regime approved plans to construct 770 out of 1,200 settlement units near the Palestinian town of Beit Jala.
Israel also opened tenders for 323 units in the illegal settlements of Gilo, Neve Yaakov, Pisgat Ze’ev and Har Homa.
In response, a senior member of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) denounced the unlawful moves, noting, “It is time to end Israel’s dangerous lawlessness.”
“In the past few months, Israel has intensified its deliberate breach of international law and conventions and has employed a series of dangerous and violent policies and racist laws and legislation against the Palestinian people aimed to systematically destroy their homes and rob them of their land, resources and rights,” Hanan Ashrawi said.
The presence and continued expansion of Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine has created a major obstacle for the efforts to establish peace in the Middle East.
Over half a million Israelis live in more than 230 illegal settlements built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank including East Jerusalem al-Quds.
All Israeli settlements are illegal under the international law. Tel Aviv has defied calls to stop the settlement expansions in the occupied Palestinian territories.
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