We are concerned by Israel’s announcement about the approval of new illegal settlement plans to build 850 housing units in the West Bank.

This is the latest example of the illegitimate steps which Israel has intensified prior to the inauguration of the new US Administration.

It is evident that Israel aims to hinder the establishment of an independent, sovereign and contiguous State of Palestine and to destroy the prospects for a two-state solution through the expansion of these settlements.

We call on the international community to put pressure on Israel to end its actions in violation of international law, including the UN resolutions, and to reject these acts of aggression.