Arab League accuses Israel of ‘contempt’ on settlements

AFP, CAIRO: The Arab League on Wednesday condemned Israel’s announcement of new settlements as a sign of contempt for the international community and an obstacle to peace.
Israel on Tuesday approved 2,500 new homes in the occupied West Bank in a major expansion of settlements following the election of US President Donald Trump.
The move drew widespread international criticism. The settlements are seen as illegal under international law and major stumbling blocks to peace as they are built on land the Palestinians want for their own state.
Tuesday’s announcement “confirms the Israeli government’s approach, which is full of contempt and defiance for the will of the international (community),” the head of the Cairo-based Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, said in a statement. The statement accused Israel of “causing all efforts to implement the two-state solution to fail.”
It suggested Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government was feeling “strengthened” by “recent international developments”.
Trump has signalled strong support for Israel, and Israeli right-wing politicians have sought to take advantage, with hardliners calling for an end to the idea of a Palestinian state.
Another news adds:  Israel has moved immediately to take advantage of US President Donald Trump's pledges of support, announcing a major settlement expansion that deeply concerns those hoping to salvage a two-state solution with the Palestinians.
Since Trump's inauguration last week, Israel has approved some 3,000 settler homes in the occupied West Bank and in annexed east Jerusalem, signalling a sharp change of pace from such projects during the Barack Obama years.
"Netanyahu is taking advantage of the presidential transition in the United States in order to appease the settlers, a small minority of the Israeli public, and score political points with his right flank," settlement watchdog group Peace Now said. It said Israel's government was "jeopardising the two-state solution," the basis of years of negotiations.
Obama's administration, like much of the world, repeatedly called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to halt settlement expansion, warning that it was gradually eating away at the possibility of a two-state solution.

Arab League accuses Israel of contempt on settlements

AFP, CAIRO: The Arab League on Wednesday condemned Israels announcement of new settlements as a sign of contempt for the international community and an obstacle to peace. Israel on Tuesday approved 2,500 new homes in the occupied West Bank in a major expansion of settlements following the election of US President Donald Trump. The move drew widespread international criticism. The settlements are seen as illegal under international law and major stumbling blocks to peace as they are built on land the Palestinians want for their own state. Tuesdays announcement confirms the Israeli governments approach, which is full of contempt and defiance for the will of the international (community), the head of the Cairo-based Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, said in a statement. The statement accused Israel of causing all efforts to implement the two-state solution to fail. It suggested Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government was feeling strengthened by recent international developments. Trump has signalled strong support for Israel, and Israeli right-wing politicians have sought to take advantage, with hardliners calling for an end to the idea of a Palestinian state. Another news adds: Israel has moved immediately to take advantage of US President Donald Trumps pledges of support, announcing a major settlement expansion that deeply concerns those hoping to salvage a two-state solution with the Palestinians. Since Trumps inauguration last week, Israel has approved some 3,000 settler homes in the occupied West Bank and in annexed east Jerusalem, signalling a sharp change of pace from such projects during the Barack Obama years. Netanyahu is taking advantage of the presidential transition in the United States in order to appease the settlers, a small minority of the Israeli public, and score political points with his right flank, settlement watchdog group Peace Now said. It said Israels government was jeopardising the two-state solution, the basis of years of negotiations. Obamas administration, like much of the world, repeatedly called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government to halt settlement expansion, warning that it was gradually eating away at the possibility of a two-state solution.