Palestine blames US for new Israeli settlement in Hebron
RAMALLAH: Palestine yesterday slammed Israel’s decision on building a new settlement in Hebron, southern West Bank, saying it is a “clear result” of United States (US) backing.
Xinhua reported quoting Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) secretary general Saeb Erekat said Israel’s decision to build a new illegal settlement in occupied Hebron is the first tangible result of the US decision to legitimise colonisation.
“This cannot be taken out of the context annexation. Concrete measures, including sanctions against settlements, are an international responsibility,” he tweeted.
His tweet came right after Israeli Defence Minister Naftali Bennett approved the construction of a new settlement in Hebron.
Israeli settlement activity is deemed illegal by most world powers and the international law. It is considered one of the major issues that caused the collapse of the peace talks between Palestinians and Israelis in 2014.
According to the latest Palestinian data, around 400,000 Israelis live in 135 settlements and 100 illegal outposts in the West Bank, where the Palestinian population has reached 2.6 million.
Bernama
