The United Nations (UN) has voiced its “grave concern” over Israel’s announcement of a plan to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank stressing that “all settlements are illegal.”
In a statement on Sunday UN envoy to the Middle East peace process Tor Wennesland expressed concern over Israel’s intent to build new settler homes in the West Bank and its persistence in expanding settlements in the occupied territories including east Jerusalem.
“Today the Israeli authorities announced tenders for the construction of more than 1300
housing units in the occupied West Bank” Wennesland said.
“I am deeply concerned by continued Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West
Bank including east Jerusalem. I reiterate that all settlements are illegal under
international law remain a substantial obstacle to peace and must cease immediately” he added.
In recent days Israel has announced plans to build more homes for Jewish settlers in different settlements in the West Bank.
The Israeli announcement on Sunday from the ministry of construction and housing in right-wing premier Naftali Bennett’s government said tenders had been published for 1355 homes in the West Bank which was seized by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War.
The new settlement homes are to be built in seven settlements according to a statement from the housing ministry and they will join more than 2000 settlement units that were announced last August.
