Israeli occupation authorities announce a new settlement plan in the West Bank

QALQILYA, (ST)_ Israeli occupation authorities announced on Wednesday a new settlement plan to  seize dozens of dunums of Palestinian land in Qalqilya in the West Bank.

Mohammad Abu al-Sheikh, who monitors settlement activities in Qalqilya district, told WAFA that the occupation plans to seize 160 dunums of Palestinian lands in Qalqilya, Hablet Jnoba and al-Nabi Elias areas to expand settlements.

The Israeli occupation authorities have implemented a consistent and systematic policy intended to encourage Jewish citizens to migrate to the West Bank. One of the tools used to this end is to grant financial benefits and incentives to citizens – both directly and through the Jewish local authorities. The purpose of this support is to raise the standard of living of these citizens and to encourage migration to the West Bank.

The Israeli occupation authorities step up their settlement activities in the West Bank ignoring US resolutions, mainly UN resolution No. 2334 for the year 2016 which stipulates that  Israel’s establishment of settlements in Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, had no legal validity, constituting a flagrant violation under international law and a major obstacle to the vision of two States living side-by-side in peace and security, within internationally recognized borders.

Basma Qaddour