1 September 2014
Israel's biggest land grab in 30 years internationally rebuked
Annexation of Palestinian land must be reversed, says Sinn Féin leader
650,000 Israelis live in settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem which are considered illegal under interntional law
THE DECISION of Israel to seize almost 1,000 acres of Palestinian land in the West Bank for the purpose of building a new illegal settlement is "outrageous" and "should be immediately reversed", Gerry Adams TD has said.
An anti-settlement group said it was the biggest land grab in 30 years.
The Sinn Féin leader said the move, which is a blatant and flagrant violation of international law, raises serious questions about the Israeli Government's commitment to peace and a negotiated two-state solution.
"Taoiseach Enda Kenny, should call on the EU to impress upon Israel the need to reverse this decision," Gerry Adams added.
Defence Minister Simon Coveney described the Israeli move as "unhelpful", while the US Government has also urged Israel to "rethink" its actions.
Palestinian officials say the decision to build more settlement homes near Gvaot will only cause the situation on the ground to deteriorate further.
Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat said:
“The international community should hold Israel accountable as soon as possible for its crimes and raids against our people in Gaza and the ongoing Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.”
650,000 Israelis live in settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem which are considered illegal under interntional law. Violence from heavily armed settlers against local Palestinian communities is commonplace.
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