Amman, December 14 (Petra) – The Senate's Palestine Committee, chaired by Mazen Darwazeh, "strongly" condemned the Israeli occupation authorities' approval of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank.

In a statement on Sunday, the committee said the approval is a dangerous escalation and a blatant violation of international law and UN resolutions and deliberately undermines all efforts to achieve peace based on the two-state solution, which reflects arrogance of the Israeli hardline government.

The committee noted the Israeli government's settlement activity in all its forms constitutes a war crime under international humanitarian law and a flagrant violation of the Geneva Conventions and UN resolutions, which snubs all international and UN documents, amidst alarming global silence and a continued impunity.

Additionally, the committee said Israel's settlement constitutes a direct attack on the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and establishment of their independent and sovereign state within the June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The senators added that the Israeli occupation doesn't have sovereignty over the West Bank, as it is occupied Palestinian territory.

All Israel's unilateral measures, including settlement construction and land annexation, are null and void and lack legal effect, the committee pointed out.

On future steps, the committee called upon the international community, particularly the Security Council and the United Nations, to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities and take effective and deterrent measures to halt Israeli settlement activity.

Calling for holding the Israeli government accountable for its ongoing violations, the statement urged diligent action to protect the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and safeguard prospects for a just and comprehensive peace in the region.

//Petra// AG