Turkey Kutuk Legalized Israel's Illegal Settlement In The West Bank Region

The construction of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. (Wikimedia Commons/Travel 2 Palestine)

JAKARTA - Turkish authorities condemn Israel's decision to legalize nine settlements, deemed illegal even by Israeli law, in the occupied West Bank region.

"We condemn the decision announced by Israeli authorities on February 12 to legalize and expand the illegal settlements of nine settlement posts in the West Bank, which are considered illegal even under Israeli law," the ministry said in a statement.

Stressing that unilateral steps further escalate tensions in the region, the ministry pointed to "very worrying developments recently and the increasing number of civilian casualties in the West Bank", which has led to serious damage to the basis of lasting peace.

"We call on Israel to end these measures, which could trigger a new spiral of violence in the region, which is against international law and the parameters set by the United Nations," he added.

As previously reported, nine Jewish settlers' outposts in the occupied West Bank were granted retrospective authorization on Sunday, with the Israeli government also announcing the number of new homes to be built in the settlement. Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said there would be 10,000 homes.

Related to that, the Government of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Sunday's announcement should be "cured and rejected".

"This is a challenge for US and Arabic efforts and provocations against the Palestinian people, and it will cause more tension and escalation," said President Abbas' spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh.

Last month, the Palestinian Authority (PA) condemned the Israeli government's plan to accelerate settlement construction in the occupied West Bank.

Israeli and Palestinian estimates suggest there are about 650,000 settlers living in 164 settlements and 116 outposts in the occupied West Bank.

Under international law, all Jewish settlements in occupied territories are considered illegal.

Palestinians accuse Israel of systematically working for East Jerusalem's Jews, where Al-Aqsa is located, and to eliminate its Arab identities and Islam.

For Muslims, Al-Aqsa represents the third holiest site in the world. Jews, in their part, called the area Temple Mount, saying it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times.

Meanwhile, Israel occupied East Jerusalem during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. It annexed the entire city in 1980, in a move never recognized by the international community.