Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: Gaza's hospitals recorded six deaths due to starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours, all of them adults
Informed sources to Al Mayadeen: A new chapter in relations between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency will begin within the framework of the new law passed by Parliament

UN rights chief, France, Spain condemn Israeli settlement expansion

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 9 Mar 2024 15:23
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

France and Spain join the UN's condemnations of the Israeli occupation's illegal settlement expansion in the West Bank.

  • x
  • New housing projects are seen in the West Bank Israeli settlement of 'Givat Ze'ev', June 18, 2023 (AP)
    New illegal settlement projects are seen in the occupied West Bank Israeli settlement of "Givat Ze'ev", June 18, 2023. (AP)

The expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories is tantamount to a "war crime" and poses a severe threat to the prospects of a viable Palestinian state, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, said Friday.

The UN rights chief expressed deep concern over the rapid increase in illegal Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, especially in light of the unfolding Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.

According to Turk, the creation and expansion of settlements by the Israeli regime constitute the transfer of its civilian population into occupied territories, a move that qualifies as a war crime with potential individual criminal responsibility for those involved. 

Israeli Minister Orit Strook revealed Wednesday that the Israeli occupation government has initiated construction plans for nearly 3,500 settler housing units in the occupied West Bank.

Strook, Smotrich's ally, posted on X today, "Nearly 3,500 settlement units [...] We promised -- we are delivering... Together we will continue to advance the settlements," Strook added.

The reported Israeli plans to construct 3,476 settler housing units in the West Bank settlements of "Ma'ale Adumim", "Efrat", and "Kedar" were strongly condemned by Turk. He emphasized that these plans directly violate international law and jeopardize efforts to achieve a "two-state solution", acting as a significant obstacle to peace.

France also strongly denounced the Israeli decision, calling it "unacceptable, illegal, and irresponsible," while urging for an immediate reversal, especially taking into consideration the tense situation in the occupied West Bank in light of the war on Gaza.

Related News

Poland condemns Gaza starvation

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

France underlined that the expansion of settlements into Palestinian territories must cease, calling it a unilateral action that undermines the prospect of a "two-state" solution.

Spain joined the condemnations in a similar statement. Madrid said it "strongly condemns" the planned settlement expansion that "undermine efforts to achieve a two-state solution and are an obstacle to peace."

Uprooting Palestinians through all means

Turk confirmed in an earlier report that Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories have increased by a record amount and they risk eliminating any practical possibility of a Palestinian state. 

He said that the growth of Israeli settlements amounted to "Israel's" transfer of its own population, which he said constituted a war crime, which echoes the Biden administration's statement last month that the settlements were "inconsistent" with international law after the occupation announced new building plans.

The UN rights chief compiled a 16-page report demonstrating the plans for 24,300 new Israeli housing units in the occupied West Bank from one year through to the end of October 2023, which was the highest record since UN monitoring began in 2017.

According to the report, a sharp increase in the intensity, severity, and regularity of both Israeli settler and state violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank has been evident, especially since October 7.
 
Since October 7, over 400 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli occupation forces or by settlers, it noted.

Back in January, an Israeli organization reported that an analysis of Israeli police investigations into violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank reveals that between 2005 and September 2023, approximately 94% of scrutinized investigations were concluded without an indictment, with only three percent resulting in a conviction.

More than 80% of the examined investigations were closed because the police either couldn't "identify the perpetrators" or failed to gather the "necessary evidence" for prosecution.

  • United Nations
  • France
  • Spain
  • Israel
  • Palestine
  • West Bank
  • Israeli Settlements

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS