Palestine calls for international action to halt Israel’s settlement building

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) – Palestine on Tuesday called for action from the international community to halt Israel’s settlement building in the occupied West Bank.

The Israeli cabinet late Sunday approved the legalization of the nine outposts in the West Bank upon a request from National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu listed the illegal outposts as Avigayil, Beit Hogla, Givat Harel, Givat Arnon, Mitzpe Yehuda, Malachei Hashalom, Asahel, Sde Boaz and Shacharit.

According to Israeli media, the decision to legalize the illegal outposts came in response to a Palestinian car-ramming attack in the Ramot settlement in Jerusalem on Saturday, in which three Israelis were killed.

The Israeli decision to legalize the settlement outposts was met with widespread condemnations from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, the United States and the European Union.

In a statement, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry called for translating the US and EU reactions “into practical steps to pressure the Israeli government and its prime minister to halt the implementation of this decision.”

“The international reactions are not up to the level of this crime and its grave repercussions on the chance of reviving the peace process and implementing the two-state vision,” the statement said.

Estimates indicate about 650,000 Israeli settlers are living in 164 settlements and 116 outposts in the occupied West Bank.

Under international law, all Jewish settlements in the occupied territories are considered illegal.

* Writing by Ahmed Asmar