Member of the Executive Committee of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), member of the Political Bureau of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), Taiseer Khalid, stated that the Israeli decision to build 7000 homes for settlers around Jerusalem is another Israeli violation which aims at annexing all Arab areas around the city.Khalid stated that three week ago, the Jerusalem Municipality Council decided to build 7000 homes for Israeli settlers in land illegally annexed from the Palestinian residents.
He added that this project, and all settlement projects in Jerusalem and around it, aim at emptying the area from its Palestinian residents and force new realities on the ground by totally isolating Jerusalem from its surrounding Arab cities and towns.
Khalid also said that Israel is ongoing in digging tunnels, building bridges and hundreds of housing units for settlers which is another proof that the Israeli government is not interested in fulfilling its commitments to the peace process and the Road Map Plan.
He added that Israel is also ongoing with its illegal settlement activities in Jenin, Salfit, Bethlehem, and several other areas in the West Bank, especially in Tubas and the Plaines areas which became totally isolated from the rest of the West Bank.
Moreover, Khalid said that the United States is siding by Israel and is not playing a balanced role in the peace talks and added that the Palestinian Authority should not hold talks with Israel until the Israeli government and the United States issue clear statements of commitment regarding halting all settlement activities and the construction of the Annexation Wall.
