Palestine condemns Israel for building new settlement near Jerusalem

Palestinian students at a demolished school. (REUTER photo)

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry expressed concern over Israel's move, calling it a violation of international law. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry affirmed that it is continuing to monitor all related developments.

Earlier, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) said that Israeli settlers had built a new settlement near the village of Mukhmas, under the protection of Israeli forces.

According to Palestine, more than 700,000 Israeli settlers are living in 151 settlements built by Israel on Palestinian territory in East Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank.

Palestine has repeatedly protested against Israel's construction of these settlements. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry asserted that the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories is an act of sabotage towards the possibility of moving towards a two-state solution.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Land Authority has issued separate tenders for the construction of 1,248 new settler homes in the West Bank, despite the country's pledge in February to suspend new settlement permits for four months to prevent tensions with the Palestinians from escalating into an uncontrolled conflict.

According to the Israeli Ministry of Construction , the bids have received the necessary permits, including those from the Ministry of Defense.

Israeli authorities demolished the Jib Al-Deeb school in Bethlehem, which was funded by the European Union (EU) for Palestinians.

According to a court ruling in Israel, the structure was built without permission since 2017 in the Herodium National Park area in the West Bank.

Israel determined that this structure was unsafe, so authorities proceeded to level the school.

The Palestinian Authority and the EU have denounced Israel’s move. The Palestinian Ministry of Education has condemned Israel’s actions, expressing concern that students are being deprived of their right to education in a free and safe environment.

The EU representative office in the West Bank and Gaza Strip also protested against Israel's demolition of the school that the union had funded.

The EU said the move was contrary to international law and children's right to education, adding that more than 60 Palestinian children would be affected by Israel's actions.

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