Turkey condemns illegal Israeli settlements in Jerusalem

Turkey today condemned Israel’s approval for the construction of new settlements in East Jerusalem.

“We condemn Israel’s activities which affect the region’s stability and expect Israel to cease as soon as possible these illegal acts which have no validity under international law,” the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a written statement.

Israel continues to destroy the fair, permanent and comprehensive solution in the region with its illegal settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories, the statement said.

“Israel’s plan to expand four illegal settlements in the West Bank, its approval for the construction of 64 settlement units in East Jerusalem and the announcement of tenders on 580 houses on seized land in East Jerusalem, all show that Israel disregards international law.”

On Sunday, the Local Committee for Planning and Construction in the Jerusalem Municipality approved the construction of 64 settlement units in northern East Jerusalem, Israeli media reported.

Israel occupied East Jerusalem during the 1967 war. It later annexed the historic city in 1980, claiming it as the capital of the self-proclaimed “Jewish state” in a move never recognised by the international community.

Palestinians accuse Israel of waging an aggressive campaign to “Judaise” the city with the aim of effacing its Arab and Islamic identity and ultimately driving out its Palestinian inhabitants.