Latin American states blast Israeli plan for nine new settlements in occupied West Bank

A group of Latin American countries has decried the far-right Israeli cabinet’s decision to authorize nine illegal settlements in the West Bank, despite international outcry over the Tel Aviv regime’s land expropriation and settlement expansion policies in the occupied territories.

A statement issued by Brazil’s foreign ministry and signed by those of Argentina, Chile, and Mexico expressed “deep concern” about Israel’s announcement on February 12 that it would retroactively authorize nine outposts in the West Bank and advance plans for the construction of 10,000 new units there.

“These unilateral measures constitute serious violations of international law and the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council,” the statement said.

The Latin American governments also called on both sides “to refrain from acts and provocations that could promote a new escalation of violence” in the region, and urged negotiations for a “peaceful solution” to the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hamas warns Netanyahu: Expansionism, illegal Israeli settlements will not bring security

Hamas says illegal Israeli settlements will not be a safe haven for illegal Israeli settlers.

Earlier, the foreign ministers of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and the United States said they were “deeply troubled” by Israel's plans to expand illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.

“We strongly oppose these unilateral actions which will only serve to exacerbate tensions between Israelis and Palestinians and undermine efforts to achieve a negotiated solution,” they said in a joint statement.

They underlined their backing for a “comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in the Middle East, which must be achieved through direct negotiations between the parties.”

“We continue to closely monitor developments on the ground, which impact the viability of the [so-called] two-state solution and stability in the region at large,” they added.

Israeli regime approves construction of 7,000 illegal settler units in West Bank

The Israeli regime has reportedly okayed the construction of 7,000-plus illegal settler units in the occupied West Bank.

The Palestinian foreign ministry said in a statement last week that the latest decision crossed “all red lines” and undermined the revival of “the peace process.”

Israel’s security cabinet had announced on Sunday that it would legalize the settlements in the occupied West Bank following a series of Palestinian retaliatory operations in East al-Quds, including one in which three Israeli settlers were killed.

Emboldened by former US president Donald Trump’s all-out support, Israel has stepped up its illegal settlement construction activities in defiance of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, which pronounced settlements in the West Bank and East al-Quds “a flagrant violation under international law.”

Much of the international community regards the Israeli settler units in the occupied lands as illegal.

More than 600,000 Israelis live in over 230 settlements built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East al-Quds.

All Israeli settlements are illegal under international law. The UN Security Council has condemned Israel’s settlement activities in the occupied territories in several resolutions.

Extremist minister: Building new settlements in Palestinian territories is ‘Israel’s mission and doctrine’

Defying the international outcry, an extremist Israeli minister says the regime will continue to build settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Palestinians want the West Bank as part of a future independent state with East al-Quds as its capital.

The last round of Israeli-Palestinian talks collapsed in 2014. Among the major sticking points in those negotiations was Israel’s continued illegal settlement expansion.

Many Palestinians believe the Israeli plans to annex one-third of the already occupied West Bank, including parts of the strategic Jordan Valley, is only a formality and that a de facto Israeli occupation of their land has been underway for many years.

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