ROME, January 26, 2017 (WAFA) – Italy Thursday expressed concern over new Israeli settlement plans in the occupied Palestinian territories.

A statement by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was concern over the approval of new settlements in East Jerusalem and in the West Bank that included the construction of 562 new house units in East Jerusalem and 2500 additional units in the West Bank.

“The Italian consolidated position is that the Israeli policy of settlement expansion is an obstacle to the two-state solution, towards which both parties are called to effectively show their commitment,” said the statement.

M.K.