Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas on Monday said that the Israeli government’s decision to form a council representing settlers in al-Khalil is a “dangerous precedent”.
Hamas’s spokesman Abdul Latif al-Qanou’ affirmed in a press statement that the decision is aimed at boosting settlers’ powers in al-Khalil since they will be receiving services independently of the Palestinian municipality there.
Israeli occupation authorities had decided to grant the settler community in the heart of al-Khalil administrative power to manage their own affairs. Palestinians expressed their rejection of the decision because it grants Israeli settlers sovereignty in a Palestinian land.
Qanou’ said that the move reflects the extremist nature of the Israeli government and its “barbaric policies” against the Palestinian people adding that it serves as conclusive evidence of the failure of all settlement agreements with Israel.
He called on the international community and UN organizations to shoulder their responsibilities and pressure Israel to stop its crimes and violations against Palestinians.
Israel’s war minister Avigdor Lieberman on Wednesday issued an order to establish a municipal services administration for al-Khalil settlers.
Based on the new arrangements settlers will be allowed access to the municipal services provided by the so-called Civil Administration which belongs to the Israeli war ministry.
