UN ‘deeply concerned’ by continued Israel settlement expansion

UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, yesterday denounced Israel for opening tenders for new settlement units in the occupied West Bank.

“Today, the Israeli authorities announced tenders for the construction of more than 1,300 housing units in the occupied West Bank,” Wennesland said in a statement.

“I am deeply concerned by continued Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem,” he added.

“I reiterate that all settlements are illegal under international law, remain a substantial obstacle to peace, and must cease immediately.”

Yesterday, Israeli occupation government invited bids for the construction of 1,355 new settlement units in the illegal Jewish-only settlements in the occupied West Bank.

The Ministry of Construction and Housing also said that it plans to double the settler population, which is currently about 6,400 settlers, in the occupied Jordan Valley by 2026, and that they will advertise 1,500 housing units in the area.

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