RAMALLAH, Thursday, April 15, 2021 (WAFA) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates said today that the State of Palestine is waiting for a strong position from the international community, and the United States in particular, against Israel's ongoing illegal settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian Territories.

In a press statement, the Foreign Ministry said the occupation authorities have escalated construction of housing units in the illegal settlements and the construction of settler-only roads and tunnels, mainly in occupied East Jerusalem and its surroundings.

It said this escalation would only "lead to more difficulties and obstacles in the way to a negotiated political solution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and would also make it even impossible to achieve peace on the basis of the agreed international references, foremost of which is the principle of the two-state solution."

"The growth in illegal settlement construction and expansion is evidence of the occupation state's intent to undermine international efforts to restart the peace process and systematically sabotage it in advance even before its birth," added the Foreign Ministry.

"This [Israeli] colonial settlement system puts the international community, including the new US administration, in front of a serious challenge, which specifically requires the administration of the US President to have a clear position, consistent with its statements about its rejection of settlement and annexation, and its opposition to the unilateral measures taken by the occupying power."

M.N