Palestinian Presidency rejects the occupation’s decision to allow settlers to return to 4 settlements evacuated in 2005

Occupied Al-Quds, (ST) – The decision of the Israeli occupation authorities to allow Israeli settlers to return to 4 settlements in the north of the West Bank that were evacuated in 2005 was met with Palestinian rejection and warnings that this move would lead to the seizure of more Palestinian lands. This step will undermine the chances of establishing a geographically contiguous Palestinian state on the line of June 4, 1967.

The Palestinian Presidency stressed in a statement reported by WAFA News Agency, that the decision is condemned and rejected, as it violates all resolutions of international legitimacy, especially  UN Resolution No. 2234, which affirms that settlements in all Palestinian lands are illegal.

The ministry called on the international community, especially the US administration, to put pressure on the occupation authorities and force them to stop their unilateral policies

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry pointed out that Israel’s continued impunity encourages it to continue with the gradual annexation of the West Bank. It indicated that the international reactions and positions towards the violations of the occupation, especially the positions issued by some countries regarding the statements of the fascist minister “Bezalel Smotrich”, in which he denies the presence of the Palestinian people, and towards the decision to return the settlers to the four settlements, are insufficient and do not rise to the level of the occupation authorities’ violations of international agreements and laws.

The Head of the Palestinian National Council, Rawhi Fattouh, made it clear that this racist decision, which violates international laws and coventions, is part of the dark record of the occupation, which is full of racist decisions and laws that deny in their content the existence of the Palestinian people who is the indigenous and historical owner of the Palestinian land.

He indicated that Smotrich’s statements are being implemented on the ground which necessitates an immediate international action to stop the occupation’s terrorism against the Palestinians.

In turn, the Follow-up Committee of the Palestinian National Forces affirmed that the decision to return the settlers to the settlements that were evacuated 18 years ago and expand them is a declaration of war against the Palestinian people.

For his part, the coordinator of the Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements Jamal Jumaa stated that allowing the  settlers to return to the four settlements in Jenin means that the occupation will seize wide areas of the city’s lands and towns and will expand settlements in the areas of the Palestinian lands occupied in 1967.

Jumaa warned that these settlements will transform the city into areas and towns isolated from each other, and will lead to the separation of the north of the West Bank from its center and south. He pointed out that this decision is accompanied by the occupation’s announcement of extensive settlement building plans that will lead to fragmenting the Palestinian geography and besieging the Palestinian people in areas isolated from each other.

Raghda Sawas