An-Najah News - Nickolay Mladenov United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process expressed concern about Israeli plans to build a new settlement in the occupied territories.

Mladenov warns that it would significantly damage prospects for a future contiguous Palestinian state.

Mladenov said in a statement “I am very concerned by the decision of the Israeli authorities yesterday to open the bidding process for the construction of Givat Hamatos,”.

“If built, it would further consolidate a ring of settlements between Jerusalem and Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. he added 

He noted that It would significantly damage prospects for a future contiguous Palestinian State and for achieving a negotiated two-state solution based on the 1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states,”.

The UN official reiterated the general world view about Israeli settlement being illegal under international law