Monday, October 25, 2021

UN envoy criticizes Israeli construction plans

UN envoy Tor Wennesland: "All settlements are illegal under international law and must cease immediately."

Elad Benari , Oct 24 , 2021 11:58 PM

Construction in Beit El

The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, on Sunday condemned the Israeli government after it issued tenders to market about 1,000 housing units in Judea and Samaria.

“Today, the Israeli authorities announced tenders for the construction of more than 1,300 housing units in the occupied West Bank,” said Wennesland.

“I am deeply concerned by continued Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. I reiterate that all settlements are illegal under international law, remain a substantial obstacle to peace, and must cease immediately,” he added.

The statement came after the Israel Land Authority, At the direction of Housing and Construction Minister Ze'ev Elkin, issued the tenders.

Among the tenders that are being marketed are 346 housing units in Beit El, 42 housing units in Elkana and another 50 housing units at a reduced price. In Beitar Illit, 252 housing units will be built.

This coming Wednesday, the construction of 3,144 housing units in Judea and Samaria will be approved. The Supreme Planning Council of the Civil Administration will also approve, among other things, the outline plan of Mitzpe Dani in the area of ​​Ma'ale Mikhmas in the Binyamin region


UN 'deeply concerned' by continued Israel settlement expansion



UN Special Envoy to the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland on February 17, 2009
[KHALIL MAZRAAWI/AFP/ Getty Images]

October 25, 2021

UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, yesterday denounced Israel for opening tenders for new settlement units in the occupied West Bank.

"Today, the Israeli authorities announced tenders for the construction of more than 1,300 housing units in the occupied West Bank," Wennesland said in a statement.

"I am deeply concerned by continued Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem," he added.

"I reiterate that all settlements are illegal under international law, remain a substantial obstacle to peace, and must cease immediately."

Yesterday, Israeli occupation government invited bids for the construction of 1,355 new settlement units in the illegal Jewish-only settlements in the occupied West Bank.

The Ministry of Construction and Housing also said that it plans to double the settler population, which is currently about 6,400 settlers, in the occupied Jordan Valley by 2026, and that they will advertise 1,500 housing units in the area.

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