The Israeli government's intention to build new illegal settlements in the West Bank is a blatant violation of international law. The Syrian MFA issued this statement on Wednesday, according to Sana News Agency.
"The UN Security Council should take immediate action to stop the Israeli authorities' plans, which pose a threat to peace and stability in the Middle East," the document stressed.
It states that Damascus "condemns Israeli plans and considers the construction of settlement outposts in the occupied territories and their expansion, confiscation of land belonging to Palestinians, demolition of their homes and forced eviction as a war crime."
The Syrian foreign ministry recalls that UNSC Resolution 2334 of 2016 calls for an end to Israeli settlement activities.
"The Israeli government must be held accountable for disobeying this resolution," the statement stresses.
Concern about Israel's decision to continue building settlements in the West Bank was previously expressed by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In his opinion, "such unilateral measures increase tensions and undermine the prospects for resolving the conflict on the basis of the principle of peaceful coexistence between the two states."
Israeli authorities on Monday approved the construction of nine new settlements and additional housing in the West Bank in response to a series of terrorist attacks in East Jerusalem.
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Photo: government.ru/Creative Commons 4.0
Based on materials from TASS