MADRID, October 10, 2016 (WAFA) – Spain condemned an Israeli plan to build hundreds of new settlement units in the West Bank, a decision which received previous condemnation from the international community including the US, Germany, the European Union, the United Nations and Japan.

The Spanish ministry of foreign affairs said in a press release that Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories are seen as an obstacle to peace because they jeopardize the two-state solution and coexistence in peace and security.

It said that based on the July Quartet declaration and the position of the international community, Spain believes that settlements are illegal under the international law.

Spain called on the Israeli authorities to cancel this decision, which does not contribute to creating the necessary trust to revive peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.

Last week, Israel authorized the construction of 98 settlement units near the illegal Israeli settlement of Shvut Rachel intended to serve settlers who are expected to be removed from yet another illegal outpost.

The Israeli government’s plan is to move Israeli settlers illegally residing in Amona, an outpost built on private Palestinian land, to the newly approved settlement, built on public land, which would initially have 98 houses and eventually could accommodate up to 300 houses.

M.H./M.A.