Israeli New Settlements Undermine Two-state Solution: Egypt

Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Counselor Ahmed Hafez condemned the Israeli government’s decision to allow the construction of 3,500 new settlement housing units. 

“This decision contradicts the international law represented in Security Council resolutions and international references on the Palestinian issue,” Hafez added. 

The Egyptian diplomat asserted that the Israeli new settlement establishment will undermine the chances of a peace based on a two-state solution.

Few days before Israeli election, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced reopening the long-dormant project to build 3,500 homes for Israeli settlers in one of the most sensitives areas of the occupied West Bank. 

The Israeli project aims to virtually cut the West Bank into two enclaves and completely encircles Palestinians neighborhoods in Jerusalem. 

“I have given instructions to immediately publish … the plan to build 3,500 housing units in E1,” Netanyahu said in a speech on Tuesday.

The US presidents George W Bush and Barack Obama both objected to the E1 plan. In 2012, Israel resurrected the idea as a retaliatory measure to the UN recognition of Palestine. That move was halted following a diplomatic crisis in which the UK, France, Sweden, Spain and Denmark summoned the respective Israeli ambassadors to their countries, according to the Guardian. 

The London-based magazine noted that it is unclear if there will be a similar response this time.

Donald Trump’s administration has backed many of Israel’s claims to the Palestinian territories. However, the UK government has repeated that settlements are illegal. Ironically, it has also praised Trump’s intentions for the region.

According to Israeli media reports, Netanyahu’s plan is an election spin.

“It's one of many populistic decisions aimed at pleasing various constituencies. But that does not mean it is possible to turn back the clock after Monday's election. More likely, the State of Israel has taken another step toward a bi-national state,” Haartez newspaper noted.