RAMALLAH, February 12, 2018 (WAFA) – Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for President Mahmoud Abbas, Monday said any unilateral steps related to Israeli annexation of settlements will not change the reality, because settlements are illegal.

This came in response to news reports saying Israel is discussing legislation with the US that would effectively annex illegal settlements in the West Bank. He said any step in this regard would only result in more tension and instability.

Abu Rudeineh warned against such legislation saying it would destroy every international effort that aims to salvage the peace process.

He affirmed that no party has the right to discuss the situation in the Palestinian territories, as it contradicts with all international resolutions stipulating that the Palestinian territories occupied in 1967, including East Jerusalem are land of the State of Palestine, which became an observer state in the United Nations.

M.H.