Suleiman: Israel's Approval of New Settlements Reveals its Rejection of Peace Efforts
President Michel Suleiman slammed on Friday Israel's decision to construct 2,600 new settlements in the West Bank.
He said: “The decision reveals the enemy's rejection of international efforts to reach peace in the region.”
He called on the international community, particularly influential countries starting with the United States, to pressure Israel to retract its decision, which has garnered international condemnation.
“Israel should be persuaded to return to the peace process based on the 1991 Madrid conference and the 2002 Beirut peace plan,” stressed Suleiman.
Israel approved on Thursday plans to build 523 homes in the West Bank in the first step towards a new settlement "city" that drew furious Palestinian condemnation.
The new plans emerged during a week in which Israel has advanced the building of thousands of new settlement homes in east Jerusalem and the West Bank, sparking widespread condemnation.
On Thursday, an Interior Ministry committee met to consider an application to build around 1,000 new units in the southern east Jerusalem settlement neighborhood of Gilo.
Critics say that planned Israeli building north, south and east of Jerusalem is meant to drive a wedge into Palestinian territory and stifle the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
On Wednesday, Israel moved forward plans for 3,658 new settler homes, mostly in annexed east Jerusalem.
The announcements came just two days after the approval of another 1,500 homes in east Jerusalem prompted Washington to denounce Israel for its "pattern of provocative action."
The United Nations and all the Security Council members except the United States on Wednesday condemned the settlement moves, with U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon warning that Israel was on a "dangerous path."
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