Egypt and GCC condemn Israeli approval of new settlements in West Bank

Cairo – Egyptian government and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Sunday condemned Israel’s plan to build nearly 5,000 new settlements in the West Bank, calling it as a violation of international law.

Egypt’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Hafez said, “Israel’s actions aggravate the lack of trust between relevant bodies and undermine chances of launching constructive dialogue with the Palestinian side”.

The statement added that Israel’s police is also a “serious threat” to a two-state solution.

GCC’s Secretary General Nayef Al-Hajjraf also strongly disapproved Israeli authorities’ earlier approval of the construction of thousands of housing units in the occupied Palestinian territories.