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Brazil, Latin America allies denounce 'Israel's' settlements decision

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
17 Feb 2023 23:18
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Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Mexico stress that the Israeli occupation's unilateral measures constitute serious violations of international law.

An aerial view of an illegal settlement in the occupied West Bank, Feb. 15, 2023 (Reuters)

Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Mexico on Friday decried the Israeli occupation's decision to "legalize" settlements in the occupied West Bank.

A statement issued by Brazil's Foreign Ministry and signed by the four nations expressed "deep concern" about "Israel's" announcement last Sunday that it would "legalize" nine illegal settlement outposts in the occupied West Bank and greenlight the construction of 10,000 new units there.

"These unilateral measures constitute serious violations of international law and the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council," stressed the statement.

Most Western powers consider the Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967 as illegal and a violation of international law.

The return of leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to the presidency on January 1 ended a four-year period of Brazilian alignment with "Israel" under his far-right predecessor Jair Bolsonaro, who had even hinted at moving the South American country's embassy from "Tel Aviv" to occupied Al-Quds.

In their statement, the Latin American governments urged negotiations for a "peaceful solution".

UNSC to vote on resolution calling on 'Israel' to stop settlements

Reuters reported on Wednesday that the United Nations Security Council is considering a draft resolution that would demand "Israel" to "immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory."

The report cited diplomats as saying that the 15-member council is likely to vote on Monday on the text that was drafted by the United Arab Emirates in coordination with the Palestinian Mission to the UN.

According to Reuters, the text "reaffirms that the establishment by Israel of settlements in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, has no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation under international law."

The draft resolution also condemns moves toward the further seizure of land by the Israeli occupation, including the "legalization" of settlement outposts.