海角直播

RIYADH: 海角直播 on Friday condemned moves by Israeli authorities to push ahead with construction of settlements around the occupied city of Jerusalem.

In a statement, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs also denounced pronouncements by Israeli officials to block internationally backed efforts to create a sovereign Palestinian state as part of a solution to the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel鈥檚 moves to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state 鈥渋s a violation of international law, the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the establishment of their sovereign state,鈥� the statement said. 

鈥淭hese decisions and statements confirm the continuation of the illegal expansionist policies of this Israeli government, its obstruction of the peace process, and the serious threat to the possibility of a two-state solution,鈥� the statement said.

Earlier Thursday, Israel鈥檚 far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced that work would start on a long-delayed settlement that would divide the West Bank and cut if off from East Jerusalem. 

鈥淲hoever in the world is trying to recognize a Palestinian state today will receive our answer on the ground. Not with documents nor with decisions or statements, but with facts. Facts of houses, facts of neighborhoods,鈥� Smotrich was reported as saying.

Smotrich鈥檚 office later doubled down by saying the move would 鈥渂ury鈥� the idea of a Palestinian state.

Israeli media on Thursday also reported that Foreign Minister Gideon Sa鈥檃r has vowed that Israel 鈥渨ill not allow鈥� the implementation of the two-state solution, which allows the creation of a Palestinian state standing side-by-side with Israel.

鈥淎 Palestinian state in the heart of the land of Israel would indeed be a solution 鈥� a solution for those seeking to destroy us. We will not allow that to happen,鈥� Sa鈥檃r said in a statement from his office and carried by the Times of Israel.

鈥淚f large countries like France and Canada wish to establish a Palestinian state within their own territory, they can 鈥� they have plenty of space. But here, in the land of Israel, it will not happen,鈥� Sa鈥檃r further reported as saying.

France and Canada had recently announced plans to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state next month amid Israeli defiance of international calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and to allow humanitarian agencies to their work. Britain also threatened to follow suit unless Israel agreed to a ceasefire with Hamas, improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza, and work toward a long-term peace framework.

Call for immediate action

In view of the recent moves by Israeli officials, 海角直播 urged the international community 鈥渢o assume its legal and moral responsibilities, protect the Palestinian people, and fulfill their legitimate rights, including recognition of the Palestinian state.鈥�

鈥淚t must also compel Israel to stop its aggression against Gaza and its illegal violations in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and to halt its crimes against the Palestinian people, particularly those amounting to genocide, and hold the perpetrators accountable,鈥� the statement said.

鈥淭he Kingdom renews its categorical rejection of Israeli policies based on settlement expansion, forced displacement, and the denial of the Palestinian people鈥檚 legitimate rights. 

鈥滻t calls on the international community, especially the permanent members of the Security Council, to take immediate action to compel the Israeli occupation authorities to end their crimes against the Palestinian people and the annexation of Palestinian territory and to comply with UN resolutions and international law,鈥� the statement further said.