Egypt condemns Israel's decision to legalize settler outposts, expand existing settlements

CAIRO – 12 February 2023: Egypt condemned Monday the Israeli government's decision to legalize the status of some settlers that had not got permits, and expand existing settlements on the Palestinian territories it occupies.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the decision violated the relevant resolutions of the United States Security Council (UNSC) as well as international law.

The ministry also considered the decision a provocative act that comes in tandem with holding the Jerusalem Support Conference hosted in Egypt on Sunday. It equally warned of fomenting the already simmering tensions on the occupied lands in a way that could worsen violence, and hence, incur repercussions on regional security and stability.

Egypt demanded the immediate halting of unilateral acts on the Israeli side, including the demolition of houses, arrests, and raids that target the Palestinian people and their properties.

The statement stipulated that the only way to pacification is abstaining from acts that violate international law, and paving the road for the resumption of negotiations with the aim of establishing an independent Palestinian state, and achieving comprehensive and just peace.

The decision issued Sunday granted retroactive authorization to nine settler outposts in the West Bank, and permitted the construction of thousands of houses in existing settlements, as reported by Reuters.