Expected meeting of the Security Council .. International and Arab condemnation of the "legitimization" of America's settlements

Arab and Western countries and the United Nations condemned the US administration's decision to abandon its previous position that the Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories are illegal.

The European Union has rejected Washington's decision to legalize Israeli settlements, saying settlement activity is illegal and undermines the viability of a two-state solution and the prospects for lasting peace.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said in a statement that the EU called on Israel to end its settlement activities as an occupying power.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights today stressed that its position on the settlements in the Palestinian territories as a violation of international law, rejecting the US administration's modified position in this regard.

The UN Office spokesman Robert Colville said in a press statement that "the change in the political position of a state does not modify existing international law, nor the interpretation of the International Court of Justice and the Security Council."

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said yesterday that the United States no longer considers Israeli settlements to be contrary to international law, and pointed out - at a press conference - that Washington has abandoned the position of the former US President Barack Obama on the issue of settlements.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the US decision, adding that the decision "corrected a historical injustice that did not recognize the historic right of Jews to own land."

International position
The international community does not recognize the Israeli settlements as illegitimate, in part based on the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits the occupying power from transferring Israelis to the occupied territories.

In response to the US decision, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that this decision "undermines the legal basis for the settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict," and added - in a statement - that this step will increase tension in the region.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also criticized the US declaration, saying that no country is above international law. "Statements in the form of fait accompli have no authority under international law," he said in a tweet.

The Norwegian government has said it considers Israeli settlements illegal under international law and an obstacle to a two-state solution.

Amnesty International condemned the US legitimization of Israeli settlements, saying that settlement in the occupied Palestinian territories would still be a war crime.

Egypt and Jordan
On the Arab level, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said that Israeli settlements are illegal and contrary to international law, and confirmed in a statement the Egyptian position on compliance with the resolutions of international legitimacy and international law, regarding the status of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, as illegal and contrary to law. International.

Jordan warned of the danger of changing the US position on Israeli settlements, in a tweet to Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, who said that Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine violate international law and resolutions of international legitimacy, and a measure that kills the two-state solution and undermines the chances of achieving a comprehensive peace.

On the other hand, Palestinian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Riyad Mansour said in a press statement that his country is holding consultations with representatives of the members of the Security Council, starting with the Arab member (Kuwait), pointing out that the recent American position on the settlements will be the focus of discussion in the Council session. Monthly security to be held on Wednesday.

It is noteworthy that the administration of President Donald Trump has taken several decisions in favor of Tel Aviv, met with wide controversy and condemnation, most notably the relocation of the Washington Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and the east and west Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

At the same time, the Trump administration is pushing for a peace plan called the "Deal of the Century" and, according to US and Israeli leaks, is forcing Palestinians to make unfair concessions to Israel, especially over the status of occupied Jerusalem, the right of return of refugees, and the borders of a Palestinian state.