Egypt, Jordan condemn Israeli plan to build thousands of settlement units in West Bank

By Anadolu staff

ISTANBUL (AA) – Egypt and Jordan on Wednesday condemned an Israeli plan to build thousands of new settlement units in the occupied West Bank.

Israel’s Supreme Planning Council approved the construction of 3,500 settlement units in the Jewish-only settlements of Ma’ale Adumim, Efrat and Kedar in the West Bank.

''This decision reflects Israel's persistence on an illegal settlement policy, and violating relevant UN Security Council resolutions and provisions of international law,'' the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

It called on the international community “to take a firm stance to reject the Israeli settlement policy and affirm its illegitimacy."

The Jordanian Foreign Ministry, for its part, said the Israeli settlement activities “aim to alter the historical and legal status quo in the occupied Palestinian territories.''

This decision is “a violation of international law and UN Security Council resolutions,” it added in a statement.

According to Palestinian figures, about 725,000 settlers live in 176 Jewish-only settlements and 186 outposts in the occupied West Bank.

Under international law, all Jewish settlements in the occupied territories are considered illegal.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio