The Palestinian presidency condemned the Israeli Knesset's ratification of a law allowing return to four settlements in the occupied West Bank that were evacuated in 4, while the European Union called on Israel to repeal the law.
The Palestinian presidency pointed out that the Israeli government is determined to defy international law and is working to thwart efforts to prevent escalation.
Palestinian presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh said, "This is a condemned and rejected decision that violates all resolutions of international legitimacy."
European Union
A statement from the office of EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called on Israel to repeal the law, saying the decision would have the opposite effect on efforts to reduce tension, impeding the possibility of confidence-building measures and creating a political horizon for dialogue.
The statement described the Israeli Knesset's decision as a "clear step backwards" and stressed that the EU considers the settlements illegal under international law, a major obstacle to peace and a threat to the viability of the two-state solution.
The Israeli Peace Now movement said the new resolution deepens Israel's occupation in the West Bank.
The movement added that the passage of the resolution confirms that the ruling right-wing religious coalition is "carrying out a dangerous biblical coup", which it said would lead to the deepening of the occupation and the ignition of the region.
Knesset Approval
On Tuesday morning, the Israeli Knesset approved in the second and third readings the repeal of provisions in the law of unilateral separation from the Gaza Strip and 4 settlements in the northern occupied West Bank, 18 years after its adoption.
At the time, the late Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon oversaw Israel's unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip as well as 4 settlements in the northern West Bank.
The decision to repeal some provisions of the previous disengagement law would allow Jewish residents to return to four West Bank settlements after their 4 eviction, subject to the approval of the Israeli military.
Condition for the far right
The amendment aims to repeal provisions in the law that prohibited settlers from entering four settlements - Ganim, Kadim, Homesh and Sanur - in the occupied West Bank, which were evacuated in 4.
The repeal of the provisions of this law was part of the conditions set by far-right parties in Israel in exchange for joining the government coalition headed by Benjamin Netanyahu.
Since the 1967 war, Israel has built some 140 settlements on land that Palestinians see as an essential part of their future statehood. Besides licensed settlements, settler groups have set up dozens of outposts without government permission.