Ankara deounces new 1.100 Israeli settlements

Turkey has denounced Israel's approval of the construction of 1,100 more settlements in the Gilo district of east Jerusalem, a written Foreign Ministry statement said late Wednesday. "Israel's attempt for new settlements in occupied Palestinian lands even [during increased attempts to solve the Palestinian problem] leads to serious suspicions on its real intentions and sincerity and harms international efforts," the ministry said. Israel's settlement activities are unacceptable and an open violation of international laws, the statement added. Tel Aviv's move to continue seizing Palestinian lands through illegal settlement construction while ignoring the reactions of the international community again indicates how correct the Palestinians have been in applying to the United Nations for statehood, it said, calling on the international community to robustly support Palestine's statehood bid.