Saudi Arabia slams illegal Israeli settlement plans

Israel plans to build 1,257 additional settlement units in occupied East Jerusalem

By Halime Afra Aksoy

ISTANBUL (AA) - Saudi Arabia denounced on Tuesday an Israeli decision to build new illegal settlement units in the occupied East Jerusalem.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry said the country is “deeply concerned” about Israeli plans to build 1,257 more settlement units in the Israeli Givat Hamatos settlement.

“We condemn and reject this step that contradicts international decisions, undermines the two-state solution and negatively affects efforts to bring peace to the region,” it said on Twitter.

Israel initiated a tender Nov. 15 to build the units.

Palestinian territories, including the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip, have been occupied by Israel since 1967.

The Palestinians want the territories for the establishment of a future Palestinian state.

* Writing by Zehra Nur Duz in Ankara.

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