Egypt voices deep concern over Israeli settlement expansion

Egypt expressed Saturday serious concern over the recent Israeli announcement about building new 800 housing units and government premises on the occupied Palestinian territories in East Jerusalem. "Egypt is following up with deep concern the continued Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied Palestinian territories, especially Eastern Jerusalem. Egypt considers that the construction of these settlements in all shapes and under any denominations violates international law and the resolutions of international legitimacy," the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a press statement read out by Spokesman Amr Roshdi Saturday. "Moreover, this is a procedure that will change the nature of the occupied territories. Egypt also denies in this regard the announced stance of Israeli officials on lifting restrictions on settling in these occupied territories." The Egyptian Foreign Ministry also expresses strong denial for announcing the construction of about 800 new housing units in Eastern Jerusalem, and embarking on building government headquarters in the Mount of Olives. "Egypt outlines that the attempts to separate Eastern Jerusalem from its surrounding Palestinian territories in the West Bank, and the endeavors to Judaize it create insurmountable obstacles on the way to just and comprehensive peace between both Palestinian and Israeli sides, and is a clear threat to the two-state solution, which the international community agreed to achieve," the statement added. Egypt urged Israel to immediately halt all building in Eastern Jerusalem and the West Bank under any denominations. It warned that the settlement activities on occupied Palestinian territories "constitute a threat to security and stability in the region and jeopardize efforts to achieve just and permanent peace." The Foreign Ministry revealed that the Egyptian Ambassador in Tel Aviv Atef Salem has conveyed a message to the Israeli Foreign Ministry to this effect.