A senior PLO official calls new building permits in Judea and Samaria "a grave violation of international law and a war crime."
Senior Palestinian negotiator and secretary of the PLO's executive committee, Saeb Erekat is furious at the Supreme Planning Council's decision to approve the construction of hundreds of housing units in Judea and Samaria. According to him, the construction of additional housing units on "occupied Palestinian land" is the result of American policy that encourages human rights violations by Israel.
In a press release, Erekat said that the US State Department's refusal to condemn the "illegal colonial plans" gives Israel the green light to continue violating international law in a way that threatens peace and security in the region. Erekat demanded that Israel be brought to justice by mentioning the report from the UN Secretary-General on the international protection of the "Palestinian people", which is due to be published next week.
"The settlement colonialist expansion in occupied Palestine by the Israeli occupation regime is not only a serious violation of international humanitarian law but a war crime," Erekat said. Erekat called on the international community to impose sanctions on Israel until it fulfills its obligations under international law and UN resolutions.