Turkey condemns Israel's approval of illegal settlement activities

Turkey has strongly condemned Israel for its approval of illegal settlement activities in the Western Bank and East Jerusalem. "Israel's approval to construct 1,500 new units in the Ramat Shlomo settlement as well as its initiation of the planning process to build in total 5,000 new units in the Givat Hamatos and Gilo settlements constitute the latest example of this country's provocative steps despite the repeated calls and warnings of the international community. We strongly condemn this policy of Israel which destroys deliberately the grounds for a lasting and just peace in the region through its illegal settlement activities that trample on the international law," a statement issued by Turkey's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.