The United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, has expressed deep concern over Israel’s decision to change its settlement planning procedures in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, which he said would accelerate the construction of illegal settlements.
In a statement issued on Friday, Wennesland said he was also alarmed by the expected approval of more than 4,000 settlement housing units by Israeli authorities next week.
He reiterated that Israel’s settlements in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, have no legal validity and constitute a flagrant violation of international law.
He urged Israel to halt and reverse such decisions, which he said were a major obstacle to the achievement of the two-State solution and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace.
He also warned that such steps would only push Israelis and Palestinians further apart and risk destabilizing an already highly tense situation on the ground, especially amid increased violence and fragility and the absence of a political process.
He called for concerted international and regional efforts to support constructive dialogue between the parties and to revive the peace negotiations.
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