We strongly condemn the Israeli decision to issue tenders for the construction of 130 additional units in the settlements of Har Homa in East Jerusalem, adding anew to its settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories.

In a period when the attention of the international community has focused on the developments in Syria, by exploiting this situation, Israel’s persistent maintenance of settlement activities in contradiction with international law and despite all calls from the international community is a grave mistake that continues to be the biggest obstacle in the revitalization of the peace process and seriously endangers the vision of a two-state solution.

Israel must fulfil its responsibilities stemming from international law regarding permanent peace in the Middle East and give up all of its activities destroying the basis for peace. In this context, we also invite the international community to display a due reaction to such activities by Israel.