RAMALLAH, October 25, 2017 (WAFA) – Presidential spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh denounced on Wednesday the Israeli authorities’ approval of plans for the construction of 176 new settlement units in the East Jerusalem area.

Israeli authorities approved on Wednesday the expansion of the Israeli settlement of Neve Zion in the East Jerusalem Arab neighborhood of Jabel Mukaber, issuing building permits for 176 new housing units.

The spokesperson reiterated the illegality of settlements as stipulated by the international legitimacy and the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334.  

He stressed that achieving a just and comprehensive peace requires the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Abu Rudeineh called on the US administration to promptly intervene to salvage its efforts toward the political process.

Some 500,000 Israelis live in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, areas that are home to more than 2.6 million Palestinians.

T.R.