PA slams Israeli moves to annex Ma'ale Adumim settlement

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry yesterday condemned Israel’s calls to annex the illegal settlement of Ma’ale Adumim.

The ministry said in a statement that Israel has uncovered its true intentions after US President Donald Trump took office.

Area E1

This is located adjacent to and northeast of occupied East Jerusalem and covers an area of 12 square kilometres. It is home to a number of Palestinian Bedouin communities and their livestock.

According to the ministry, Israel intends to annex the occupied West Bank in one go, or gradually starting with the settlement of Ma’ale Adumim followed by settlements of Gush Etzion.

“Israeli extremists call to include area E1 in the first annexation scheme, while everyone remembers that the previous Israeli attempts to build in that area have failed because of international movements. The occupying power does not back down or give up its colonial steps but waits for the right moment to implement them,” the statement said.

INTERACTIVE: Mapping the latest Israeli settlement expansion

Israeli media reported that coalition lawmakers are planning to introduce legislation that would extend Israeli sovereignty over the Jerusalem-area settlement of Ma’ale Adumim at a Knesset committee next week.

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