The official spokesman for the presidency, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, said today that the Palestinian leadership rejects the Israeli government’s decision to accelerate settlements’ growth in the West Bank. In statements to Voice of Palestine Radio, Abu Rudeineh affirmed that the leadership also rejects Israel’s authorization to the Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich to ratify this move, adding that settlements will remain illegal according to international law. He said that Israel is playing with fire, whether in the Jerusalem file or in the settlement file, stressing that Israel is fully aware that these are Palestinian, Arab and international red lines. Abu Rudeineh warned the Israeli government that this behavior will lead to more tension and escalation of the situation on the ground. He held the US administration responsible for what is happening, affirming that “Israel cannot build a single stone without an American decision.” The US administration must bear its responsibility and not remain a silent spectator, the spokesman said. He warned that the US administration is tampering with security, stressing that its attitude and negative actions allow Israel to tamper with peace and stability in the region. Abu Rudeineh pointed out that peace can only be achieved through the implementation of the Arab Peace Initiative and the Palestinian legitimacy. He confirmed the leadership’s refusal to trade the passing of the nuclear agreement with Iran by allowing Israel to escalate its settlement activity. ‘Settlements in the West Bank will all be dismantled, just as they were dismantled in the Gaza Strip, because they are illegal, and are built in violation of international laws,” he said. Abu Rudeineh stressed that the intensification of settlement construction will lead to an escalation of the situation on the ground, adding that Tel Aviv and Washington bear responsibility for that. Commenting on the leadership’s decision to suspend the work of the Higher Economic Committee with Israel, the presidential spokesman said that the Israeli government must realize that the leadership continues to implement the decisions of the National and Central Councils regarding defining the relationship with Israel and pursuing it internationally. Earlier today, the Israeli occupation government approved a decision authorizing the head of the Religious Zionist Party and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to issue preliminary approval for planning and building in the Israeli settlements, in addition to expediting the procedures for expansion of settlements. The Israeli public broadcaster Kan said that the decision requires that construction plans in the settlements be advanced without the approval of the Israeli political echelon, contrary to the situation that has existed for 25 years.

Source: En – Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA