US condemns Israel’s settlement expansion near UNESCO site

WASHINGTON: The United States (US) Department of State Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel condemned Israel’s recent decision to recognise new settlements at a United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage site near the historic city of Belem on Thursday.

During a press in Washington, the deputy spokesperson expressed concern that the announced settlements would hinder the prospects for establishing a Palestinian state.

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Patel criticised the move, stating, “Each of these new settlements will impede Palestinian economic development and freedom of movement, and undermine the credibility of the two-state solution.”

He stated that the US considers this action to be inconsistent with international law and opposes the expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian territory occupied by Israel.

The announcement came from far-right Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich, who openly indicated that the intention behind these new settlements is to obstruct the creation of a Palestinian state.

Patel saod that such actions undermined the internationally supported two-state solution.

The US recently intensified its criticism of far-right Israeli officials, including Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir, part of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

The criticism has been particularly pointed regarding their opposition to US President Joe Biden’s plan to address the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

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International law considers all Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank since 1967 to be illegal. The Biden administration has consistently criticised settlement expansion, although it has yet to implement direct retaliatory measures against Israel, a long-standing ally.