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RIYADH: �������� on Friday condemned moves by Israeli authorities to push ahead with construction of settlements around the occupied city of Jerusalem.

In a statement, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs also denounced pronouncements by Israeli officials to block internationally backed efforts to create a sovereign Palestinian state as part of a solution to the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel’s moves to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state “is a violation of international law, the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the establishment of their sovereign state,” the statement said. 

“These decisions and statements confirm the continuation of the illegal expansionist policies of this Israeli government, its obstruction of the peace process, and the serious threat to the possibility of a two-state solution,” the statement said.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also strongly condemned Israel’s approval of a plan to build 3,400 new settlement units in the West Bank, including in Jerusalem.

IOC also stressed that the Israeli occupation and colonial settlement were illegal and must be ended immediately, state news agency SPA reported.

“Israel’s ongoing policies of aggression, settlement, destruction, displacement, and blockade, describing them as systematic crimes that violate the rights of the Palestinian people, undermine the two-state solution, entrench annexation plans and attempt to impose Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories,” the bloc said.

Earlier Thursday, Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced that work would start on a long-delayed settlement that would divide the West Bank and cut if off from East Jerusalem. 

“Whoever in the world is trying to recognize a Palestinian state today will receive our answer on the ground. Not with documents nor with decisions or statements, but with facts. Facts of houses, facts of neighborhoods,” Smotrich was reported as saying.

Smotrich’s office later doubled down by saying the move would “bury” the idea of a Palestinian state.

Israeli media on Thursday also reported that Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has vowed that Israel “will not allow” the implementation of the two-state solution, which allows the creation of a Palestinian state standing side-by-side with Israel.

“A Palestinian state in the heart of the land of Israel would indeed be a solution — a solution for those seeking to destroy us. We will not allow that to happen,” Sa’ar said in a statement from his office and carried by the Times of Israel.

“If large countries like France and Canada wish to establish a Palestinian state within their own territory, they can — they have plenty of space. But here, in the land of Israel, it will not happen,” Sa’ar further reported as saying.

France and Canada had recently announced plans to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state next month amid Israeli defiance of international calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and to allow humanitarian agencies to their work. Britain also threatened to follow suit unless Israel agreed to a ceasefire with Hamas, improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza, and work toward a long-term peace framework.

Call for immediate action

In view of the recent moves by Israeli officials, �������� urged the international community “to assume its legal and moral responsibilities, protect the Palestinian people, and fulfill their legitimate rights, including recognition of the Palestinian state.”

“It must also compel Israel to stop its aggression against Gaza and its illegal violations in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and to halt its crimes against the Palestinian people, particularly those amounting to genocide, and hold the perpetrators accountable,” the statement said.

“The Kingdom renews its categorical rejection of Israeli policies based on settlement expansion, forced displacement, and the denial of the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights. 

”It calls on the international community, especially the permanent members of the Security Council, to take immediate action to compel the Israeli occupation authorities to end their crimes against the Palestinian people and the annexation of Palestinian territory and to comply with UN resolutions and international law,“ the statement further said.

ABHA: Officials of the Abha Chamber of Commerce and Industry officials received Ambassador Pascal Gregoire of Belgium on Thursday to discuss ways to develop trade relations and support joint investment opportunities.

The two sides also discussed efforts to foster an attractive investment environment for Saudi and Belgian ventures, Asir region’s economic potential, key investment opportunities, and the facilities available to Belgian investors in the region.

They stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation through joint trade events and visits and explored prospects for partnership in various sectors.

Gregoire expressed his pleasure at visiting the Asir region and learning about its promising investment opportunities.