Jordan condemns new Israeli settlements plans

AMMAN — The government on Friday voiced its condemnation of recently announced Israeli plans to build more settlements on occupied Palestinian territories.

Israel's approval for the construction of 1,122 new settlement units in the occupied Palestinian lands, in addition to plans and tenders for other units constitutes a violation of international law, Minister of State for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani said according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

"The approval mirrors a unilateral behavior by the Israeli government which does not take into consideration the two-state solution, "said the minister.

The United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, which considered Israel's establishment of settlements in Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, had no legal validity, is a clear expression of the international consensus in this regard, said the minister.

The official stressed that the only way to achieve peace was through creating an independent Palestinian state on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on international terms of reference, and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, which Arab leaders adopted in their summit in Beirut.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi slammed the Israeli plans in a tweet on Friday.

"Israel's decision to build more of its illegal settlements is another unilateral action that further compromises the two-state solution and chances for peace," said Safadi.

"Such actions are thus a threat to regional and international security that the international community must face. Palestinian statehood key to stability," Safadi added.