Guterres criticizes Israel’s legalization of new settlements in the West Bank: “They are an important obstacle to peace.”
MADRID, February 14 (EUROPA PRESS) –
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the Israeli Government’s announcement to legalize new settlements in the West Bank and criticized this measure. “is a major obstacle to peace.”.
“If implemented, these measures would further undermine hopes for a viable two-state solution.”UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric explained at a press conference.
Thus, he stated that it was Guterres. “deeply worried”while you have “He reiterated that all settlements are illegal under international law and are a major obstacle to peace.”.
Therefore, the Secretary General requested. “Stop unilateral actions that erode hopes for a political solution based on United Nations resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements”.
While the European Union and the United States also rejected the Benjamin Netanyahu government’s statement this Sunday that included the legalization of nine new settlements in the West Bank, the Palestinian Authority assured the measure. “cross the red line” and report what they think “systematically undermining the chances of reviving the peace process”.
The West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, from which Israel withdrew in 2005, were militarily occupied by Israel in the 1967 war.
In total, about 700,000 Jewish settlers live in the West Bank, some in colonies considered legal by Israel and some in settlements considered illegal even by the Israeli government. International Law considers the colonization of militarily occupied territories a war crime.
Source: Noti Merica
