JERUSALEM: Israeli anti-settler organization Peace Now on Thursday denounced the creation of a new settlement, announced earlier by the Gush Etzion regional council in the south of the occupied West Bank.
Yaron Rosental, the president of the Gush Etzion council, on Thursday morning announced the creation of a “new locality” near Bethlehem.
“Tonight, we established a new locality at Shdema, near Bethlehem,” Rosental said in a video circulated by his office.
A spokesman for the regional council confirmed to AFP that three mobile homes had been set up in the area and that families would move in during the weekend.
Peace Now in a statement said: “The new outpost is intended to choke the Palestinian town of Beit Sahour and block its development.
“There is no limit to the settlers’ audacity in establishing outposts and creating facts on the ground, utilising public funds while undermining Israel’s prospects for peace and a two-state solution.”
The Gush Etzion region has in recent days seen multiple violent incidents involving settlers and Palestinian residents.
The flare-up follows the dismantling of a settler outpost by Israeli authorities that regard it as illegal.
All settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law.
Excluding east Jerusalem, which was occupied and annexed by Israel in 1967, some 500,000 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank, along with about three million Palestinian residents.
Israeli peace group slams new settlement in West Bank
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Israeli peace group slams new settlement in West Bank
- Three mobile homes had been set up near Beit Sahour and settlers would move in during the weekend
- All settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law
Abbas says Palestinians stand in solidarity with Jordan amid US-Iran tensions
- Palestinian president condemned Iranian attacks targeting Jordan
- Al-Aqsa Mosque has remained closed since Saturday morning as Israeli authorities declared a state of emergency
LONDON: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed solidarity with Jordan during a phone call with King Abdullah II on Tuesday.
Abbas condemned the Iranian attacks targeting Jordan, reaffirming the Palestinian rejection of any assault that undermines Jordan’s sovereignty or threatens its security and stability, according to Wafa news agency.
After the military actions by the Israeli and US forces in Iran on Saturday, Iran launched suicide drones and missiles into the cities of the Arab Gulf. It also targeted US fighter jets deployed in Azraq, while some missiles struck civilian areas.
Abbas highlighted the importance of dialogue and expressed support for Arab efforts to protect Arab nations, and ensure their security against attacks that violate international law, Wafa added.
For the fourth consecutive day, Israeli forces have intensified military measures throughout the occupied West Bank, closing checkpoints and entrances to cities, towns and villages.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque in the walled city of occupied East Jerusalem has remained closed since Saturday morning, as Israeli authorities declared a state of emergency amid the conflict with Iran.
