The United Nations calls on Israel to reverse its decision to start work on a long-delayed settlement that would divide the West Bank and cut it off from East Jerusalem, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Thursday.
“It would put an end to prospects of a two-state solution,” Dujarric told reporters.
“Settlements go against international law… further entrench the occupation.”
Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced work would start on the long-delayed settlement, a move his office said would “bury” the idea of a Palestinian state.
The Palestinian government, allies and campaign groups condemned the scheme, calling it illegal and saying the fragmentation of territory would rip up peace plans for the region.
Standing at the site of the planned settlement in Maale Adumim on Thursday, Smotrich, a settler himself, said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump had agreed to the revival of the E1 development, though there was no immediate confirmation from either.
The United States responded to Smotrich’s announcement by saying that a stable West Bank is in line with the Trump administration’s goal for peace in the region.
Asked about Smotrich’s statement that Netanyahu and Trump had agreed to the revival of the so-called E1 development, a spokesperson for the US State Department said the US remained focused on ending the war in Gaza and ensuring Hamas will never govern that territory again.
“A stable West Bank keeps Israel secure and is in line with this administration’s goal to achieve peace in the region,” the spokesperson said, while referring to the Israeli government for further information.
(aawsat)