US response to Israel

The United States reacted to the Israeli government’s decision, which paved the way for accelerating the construction and expansion of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.

“The United States is deeply disturbed by Israel’s decision to go ahead with plans for more than 4,000 settlements in the occupied West Bank,” US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement. Miller also expressed concern over news of changes to Israel’s settlement management system, which has sped up settlement planning and approval.

Emphasizing that the United States has long opposed such unilateral actions that make a two-state solution difficult and stand in the way of peace, Miller said: “We are committed to honoring the commitments made by the Israeli government in Aqaba, Jordan and Sharm el- Sheikh. , Egypt “We urge you to return to the dialogue aimed at détente,” he said.

The Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation (KAN) said the Israeli government would approve a decision at the weekly cabinet meeting that “significantly shortens” the process of obtaining permits to build new settlements.

According to KAN news, the decision will allow the construction of more residential units, which incentivizes construction with almost no approval from the political level, and the first planning permission approval will be under the authority of far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Continuing to build illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, Israel plans to establish a large Jewish settlement. Palestinians and Israeli leftist organizations such as the Peace Now Movement oppose this plan.

The Palestinian Authority and the European Union also emphasize that the move in question will destroy the possibility of a two-state solution.

Around 700,000 Jewish settlers live around the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. Jewish settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem are considered illegal under international law. (AA)