Malaysia condemns Israeli occupation plan to expand settlements worth $3.2 billion

Kuala Lumpur, July 16 (KUNA) -- Malaysia on Thursday strongly condemned the Israeli occupation’s announcement of a plan to expand settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, valued at $3.2 billion, describing the move as a violation of international law that entrenches the illegal occupation and undermines the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.

In a press statement, the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed Malaysia’s steadfast solidarity with the Palestinian people and emphasized its firm support for the establishment of an independent, sovereign State of Palestine based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

It stated that the expansion of illegal settlements constitutes a direct assault on the prospects of achieving a just and lasting peace, and reflects the continued disregard by the occupying forces for their obligations under international law, including relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the Fourth Geneva Convention.

Malaysia called on the international community and the United Nations to unequivocally reject and counter the settlement expansion plans, warning that the continued annexation of Palestinian land and settlement expansion contribute to instability and push the region toward further escalation.

The ministry noted that the Palestinian people have suffered for decades under occupation, displacement, and systematic violations of their fundamental rights, stressing that the continued expansion of settlements cannot be justified under any pretext.

It added that the settlement expansion reflects a calculated effort to deprive the Palestinian people of their legitimate and inalienable rights, including their right to self-determination and to establish an independent, sovereign State of Palestine on their land in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and Jerusalem. (End) E.A.B. / F.S.