Egypt condemns the Israeli government’s approval of the construction of 3,500 new settlement units in the West Bank, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday6/3/2024.

This Israeli action demonstrates a commitment to continue the illegal settlement policy, disregarding pertinent United Nations Security Council resolutions and international law, the ministry statement said.

Egypt also emphasized that Israel’s continued practices of annexation and occupation of Palestinian territories would not alter the legal, historical, and demographic status quo.

Such Israeli practices, Egypt said, should end, as they undermine efforts to reach a fair settlement of the Palestinian cause and attempts to deflect final status negotiations.

Furthermore, Egypt urged international parties to take a strong stance against Israeli settlement policy and affirm its illegitimacy.

The statement also reiterated Egypt’s call to the Security Council to fulfill its responsibility in halting Israeli
violations of international law and international humanitarian law against the Palestinian people.

The Security Council should also ensure the protection of the Palestinians’ inalienable rights, while supporting the recognition of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, the Egyptian statement added.

About 490,000 settlers live among approximately three million Palestinians in the West Bank, in settlements that are considered illegal under international law.

Source: State Information Service Egypt