January 28, 2016•Update: January 29, 2016
ANKARA
Turkey condemned on Thursday fresh settlement building in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said: “We fiercely condemn Israel's confirmation of 153 new housing constructions in several illegal settlements in West Bank and East Jerusalem, which Israel has been occupying since 1967."
“Israel’s steps against the international law harm efforts for permanent peace. These steps are also unacceptable.”
Under international law, Israeli building in the occupied territories is illegal.
Around 500,000 settlers currently live in more than 100 communities built since Israel occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem in 1967.
The Palestinians want these areas and the Gaza Strip to form a future Palestinian state.
