Egypt denounces Israeli legalization of 5 new West Bank settlement outposts

CAIRO – 30 June 2024: Egypt has condemned the decision of the Israeli government to approve the legalization of five settlement outposts in the West Bank and plan for the construction of thousands of new settlement units.

This action represents a clear and deliberate violation of international law and United Nations Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 2334, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Saturday.

“Egypt strongly denounces Israel's exploitation of the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip to perpetuate further illegal settlement expansion,” the ministry said.

Cairo also denounced continued Israeli attempts to alter the legal status of the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem.

It emphasized that Israel's persistence in these unlawful measures aims to undermine the prospects of a two-state solution, which is based on respecting the legitimate and inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.

The ministry emphasized that a two-state solution serves as the only path to comprehensive and lasting peace.

Egypt calls on the international community to intervene to halt Israel's illegal actions and continuous violations of the rights of the Palestinian people, the ministry said.

Moreover, Egypt urges intensified efforts to immediately address the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

The latest Israeli decision, announced by Israeli hardliner Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has faced international condemnation, including from the European Union.

“The European Union condemns in the strongest terms the announcement by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich that five outposts are to be legalised in the occupied Palestinian territory,” the EU said in a statement today.

“This is another deliberate attempt at undermining peace efforts,” the EU added.