Brussels –
Government Arab Saudi assess decisions Israel to legalize nine Jewish settlements in the territory West Bank occupied as an ‘illegal’ measure. The Saudis also say such a move will only further fuel tensions.
As reported Arab NewsTuesday (14/2/2023), the Saudi comments on Israel’s decision were conveyed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan in a joint press conference with European Union foreign policy chief and Arab League chairman Ahmed Aboul-Gheit in Brussels, Belgium.
“This announcement by Israel about the annexation of nine settlements, is a blatant illegal act that will only escalate and inflame tensions and complicate the situation,” Prince Faisal said in his statement.
As well as discussing Saudi relations with the European Union, the meeting in Brussels also focused on Israel’s recent announcements and ways to revive the peace process in the Middle East in line with the Arab Peace Initiative.
The Arab Peace Initiative, which was drafted by the Saudis in 2002, is a proposal to end the Arab-Israeli conflict. The Arab League backed the peace plan at a summit in Beirut the same year.
At the end of last week, Israel announced it would authorize nine outposts in the West Bank and reported plans to proceed with construction of 10,000 settlement units.
Israel’s move was taken following tensions with the Palestinians and after a series of attacks in East Jerusalem.
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(nvc/ita)
