Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority, criticized the new law passed by the Israeli parliament regarding the legalization of Jewish settlements in Palestinian territories, stating: "This law is an attack on our people." According to AFP, the approval of this law on Monday has triggered widespread international reactions, with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the UK, France, Turkey, Jordan, and several other countries criticizing this action. Meanwhile, the United States has yet to take a stance on this issue. Mahmoud Abbas stated that the Israeli parliament's decision is illegal and clearly against the wishes of the international community. French President François Hollande also mentioned in a press conference: "I want to believe that the Israelis and their government will reconsider this law." In this context, António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, stated on Tuesday that the Israeli parliament's decision "contradicts international law and will have legal consequences for Israel." According to AFP, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Secretary-General of the Arab League, reacted to the new law passed in the Knesset by saying that "this law is merely a cover for stealing land and seizing Palestinian property." He added that this law continues "Israel's policies to eliminate the possibility of achieving a two-state solution and establishing an independent Palestinian state." Meanwhile, Jordanian officials, whose country is one of the few Arab nations with diplomatic relations with Israel, criticized the approval of this law, calling it "provocative legislation" that "destroys any hope for a two-state solution." The Knesset, the Israeli parliament, approved the bill legalizing homes in parts of settlements built on private Palestinian properties in its second and third readings on Monday evening. This law legalizes about four thousand homes on private Palestinian properties and will also accelerate construction in existing settlements. These settlements, totaling around 140, house approximately six thousand people and are considered illegal under international law.
Abbas: New Law on Israeli Settlements is an Attack on Palestinians
Mahmoud Abbas condemned a new Israeli law that legalizes settlements on Palestinian land, calling it an attack on Palestinians. The law has sparked international criticism from various countries and organizations, highlighting ongoing tensions regarding Israeli settlement policies and their implications for peace efforts.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The Israeli Knesset passed a law legalizing Jewish settlements on Palestinian land, which has been condemned by Palestinian leaders and various international figures. Mahmoud Abbas described the law as an attack on Palestinians, while the UN Secretary-General stated it contradicts international law.
- The law legalizes about 4,000 homes built on private Palestinian properties.
- International reactions include criticism from the UN, France, Turkey, and Jordan.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been ongoing for decades, with settlements in occupied territories being a contentious issue that complicates peace negotiations.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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