RAMALLAH, The Palestinian presidency today expressed its strong rejection and condemnation of the new Israeli settlement expansion projects in the Palestinian territories, particularly plans for the construction of 2,200 settlement units in the occupied city of Jerusalem and the rest of the Palestinian territories.

The presidency warned against these new settlement plans, considering them as a clear violation of the Oslo Accords, which explicitly state that no unilateral measures should be taken by any party, in addition to being a violation of all United Nations resolutions, foremost of which is UN Security Council resolution 2334, which clearly affirms the illegality of settlements in all Palestinian territories.

It pointed out that this rejected Israeli decision contradicts with the clear US position expressed by President Joe Biden in his telephone call with President Mahmoud Abbas in which he affirmed the US rejection of settlements and unilateral measures.

The presidency called on the United States and the international community to work sincerely and immediately to stop the Israeli persistence in this strategy, which if it continues will augment tension and instability, adding that these Israeli measures will not contribute to the US confidence-building measures between the two sides.

The presidency reiterated that all settlements are illegal and will demise, and that no settlement construction will be legitimized in the occupied Palestinian territory, stressing that true peace and security are linked to the extent of commitment to all international agreements and resolutions.

It stressed that settlement, especially in East Jerusalem, is a red line, and that Jerusalem and its holy places are not for sale, concession or bargaining, and that any attempt to impinge on the Palestinian rights supported by the international community will never be accepted, stressing that the path to peace is clear, as is the path to security and stability.

Source: Palestinian News & Info Agency