Settlement activities are illegal under international law and present an obstacle to peace.
For the first time in 20 years, the Israeli Security Cabinet has set to allow for the construction of a new settlement in the Shilo Valley region located in the West Bank. The sixth paragraph of Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention states: “The Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies” thus making the settlements illegal according to international Law. Israel has been at odds with the international community since the creation of itself. This move by Israel shows the dedication it has to ultimately colonize Palestine instead of ultimately trying to achieve peace.
UN chief Antonio Guterres responded with disappointment and alarm to the news by stating that “all unilateral actions that, like the present one, which threaten peace and undermine the two-state solution.” This past December the UN security council adopted resolution 2334 to put an end to Israeli Settlements in Palestine. Even though the settlement is discouraged by the UN and International law it is evident that Israel will never listen. Israel’s own Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu didn’t even recognize the UN vote.
New Israeli #settlement decision is wilful violation of @UN resolution #2334. Settlements & occupation gravest threat to two-state solution.
— The Elders (@TheElders) March 31, 2017
Although #UNSCR2334 , Israel announced today a new Illegal Colony to be built on stolen Palestinian land #LandDay . pic.twitter.com/5x3t4LXeUr
— Mustafa (@MustafAbuZir_E) March 31, 2017
The news of a new settlement came a day after the commemoration of Yom-Al-Ard or otherwise known as Land Day. This year Land Day consisted of Palestinians demonstrating in remembrance of the killing of six Palestinians and over a hundred injured. The celebration is to demonstrate their rights and ownership to the land. This new Settlement was a slap in the face of the Palestinian people. In March of 1976, Israel confiscated over two thousand acres of land and now surely but slowly they taking more.
Today there is approximately more than 400,000 settlers in occupied Palestine and the numbers continue to grow at a rapid rate. A two state solution will never be achieved because of Israel’s animosity towards the Palestine people. Not only will Israel continue these settlements but it will continue to slaughter Palestinians to ultimately colonize Palestine. Israel does not care about anyone but its own Jewish people. As long as these Settlements continue to happen there will never be peace. We need to stand up and start condemning Israel for its actions.
