A building under construction in the West Bank settlement of Ofra, north of Ramallah. EPA
A building under construction in the West Bank settlement of Ofra, north of Ramallah. EPA
A building under construction in the West Bank settlement of Ofra, north of Ramallah. EPA
A building under construction in the West Bank settlement of Ofra, north of Ramallah. EPA

US 'strongly opposes' expansion of Israeli settlements in occupied West Bank


Adla Massoud
  • English
  • Arabic

President Joe Biden's administration strongly opposes the expansion of settlements by the Israeli government, US ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said on Wednesday.

Such actions undermine the prospects of any comprehensive peace deal with the Palestinians based on a two-state solution, exacerbate tension and further harm trust between the two parties, she told the UN Security Council.

Ms Thomas-Greenfield said.expressed alarm at the sharp rise in violence by extremist Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

“Ongoing violence sets back the prospects for peace and is responsible for so much needless suffering,” she said.

Settler violence has been increasing across the West Bank since 2021. Three settler related incidents per day occurred on average in the first eight months of 2023 - the highest such figure ever recorded by the UN - compared to an average of two per day in 2022 and one per day the year before.

Tor Wennesland, the UN Mideast envoy, reported that in the three months between mid-June and mid-September, 68 Palestinians, including 18 children, were killed and 2,830 were injured by Israeli security forces, while 10 Israelis, including two children, were killed and 122 injured.

Mr Wennesland said Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is also “deeply troubled by the unrelenting expansion of Israeli settlements and settlement outposts” in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, with over 10,000 housing units advanced in just that three-month period.

Efforts by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's far-right government to expand Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank have intensified this year. The settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem are viewed as one of the largest impediments to the creation of a Palestinian state.

The Israeli communities, illegal under international law, are now home to more than 700,000 people, the UN has said.

Ms Thomas-Greenfield also welcomed efforts to normalise relations between Israel and more Arab countries.

“We are hopeful the next iteration of the Negev Format will soon be convened at the ministerial level and will further advance regional integration initiatives,” she said, referring to the Negev Forum, a framework of regional co-operation between the UAE, Israel, Bahrain, Morocco, Egypt and the US.

On Tuesday, the first Saudi ambassador to Palestine, Naif Al Sudairi, presented his credentials to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Riyadh has previously affirmed its commitment to the Arab League's stance of refraining from establishing relations with Israel until a resolution to the Palestinian issue is achieved.

US-mediated peace talks between Palestinians and Israel collapsed in 2014, triggering a sharp decline in relations amid a rise in violence.

Mr Abbas last week again stressed strong reservations to Arab countries building ties with Israel.

“Those who think that peace can prevail in the Middle East without the Palestinian people enjoying their full, legitimate national rights would be mistaken,” Mr Abbas told the UN General Assembly.

A car that was burnt during a spike in violence between Palestinians and Israeli settlers in the West Bank town of Hawara in March. EPA
A car that was burnt during a spike in violence between Palestinians and Israeli settlers in the West Bank town of Hawara in March. EPA

 

 

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 Player Career Award: Miralem Pjanic and Ryan Giggs

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This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home. 

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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

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The UN General Assembly President in quotes:

YEMEN: “The developments we have seen are promising. We really hope that the parties are going to respect the agreed ceasefire. I think that the sense of really having the political will to have a peace process is vital. There is a little bit of hope and the role that the UN has played is very important.”

PALESTINE: “There is no easy fix. We need to find the political will and comply with the resolutions that we have agreed upon.”

OMAN: “It is a very important country in our system. They have a very important role to play in terms of the balance and peace process of that particular part of the world, in that their position is neutral. That is why it is very important to have a dialogue with the Omani authorities.”

REFORM OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL: “This is complicated and it requires time. It is dependent on the effort that members want to put into the process. It is a process that has been going on for 25 years. That process is slow but the issue is huge. I really hope we will see some progress during my tenure.”

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The biog

Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia

Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins

Favourite dish: Grilled fish

Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.

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A State of Passion

Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi

Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah

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The Details

Article 15
Produced by: Carnival Cinemas, Zee Studios
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
Our rating: 4/5 

Updated: September 28, 2023, 3:08 PM