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Israel has been criticized by 4 Latin American countries for legalizing settlements in the West Bank. Photos/Illustrations
BRASILIA – Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Mexico on Friday criticized Israel’s recent decision to legalize settlements in the occupied West Bank.
A statement issued by Brazil’s Foreign Ministry and signed by four countries expressed deep concern about Israel’s announcement last Sunday that it would retroactively legalize nine existing outposts in the West Bank and green-light the construction of nearly 10,000 new settlement homes.
“This unilateral step is a serious violation of international law and UN Security Council resolutions,” the statement read as quoted by New Arab, Sunday (19/2/2023).
The return of leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to the Brazilian presidency on Jan. 1 capped the South American country’s four-year period of alignment with Israel under its far-right predecessor Jair Bolsonaro, who even debated moving Brazil’s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
In their statement, the governments of the Latin American countries called on both sides to refrain from actions and provocations that could escalate a new escalation of violence in the region. The four also urged negotiations for a “peaceful solution” to the long-running conflict.
All Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories violate international law. Until Sunday, even Israel considered the nine outposts illegal.
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The Latin American countries’ condemnation comes as the UN Security Council considers a draft resolution calling for an immediate halt to all Israeli settlement activities. The draft resolution has Palestinian support.
The resolution, a copy of which was obtained Thursday by The Associated Press, will demand an immediate halt to all Israeli settlement activity, condemn Israeli attempts to annex settlements and outposts, and call for an immediate reversal.
The UN Security Council is “likely” to vote on the resolution on Monday, The New Arab reported.
