US Expresses Deep Concern over Israel’s New Settlement Plans

Washington, 23 Syawwal 1437/28 July 2016  (MINA) – The US expressed deep concern on Wednesday over Israel’s announcement of 323 settlement tenders in East Jerusalem and plans for 770 units in Gilo, KUNA reported.

“We strongly oppose settlement activity, which is corrosive to the cause of peace,” said the State Department Spokesman John Kirby in a statement.

“These steps by Israeli authorities are the latest examples of what appears to be a steady acceleration of settlement activity that is systematically undermining the prospects for a two-state solution.”

The statement also expressed concern about “increased demolitions of Palestinian structures” in the West Bank East Jerusalem that have left “dozens of Palestinians homeless, including children,” Kirby noted.

The statement acknowledged reports of plans for 531 units in Ma’ale Adumim, 19 in Har Homa, 120 in Ramot, and 30 in Pisgat ZeØ¢’ev; the advancement of a plan to retroactively legalize an outpost near Ramallah; and the issuance of tenders for 42 units in Kiryat Arba.

It also highlighted that “more than 650 Palestinian buildings have been demolished this year”, surpassing the number of structures destroyed than in all of 2015.

“We remain troubled that Israel continues this pattern of provocative and counterproductive action, which raises serious questions about Israel’s ultimate commitment to a peaceful, negotiated settlement with the Palestinians,” Kirby affirmed. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)