Socialists in EP denounce Israeli Knesset's decision on settlements

BRUSSELS, Feb 7 (KUNA) -- President of the Socialists & Democrats Group in the European Parliament Gianni Pittella condemned Tuesday the decision of the Israeli Knesset backed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition to retroactively legalize about 4,000 settler homes built on privately owned Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank.
"We are facing here an unjust, unjustified and illegal measure against Palestinian people's rights that will further undermine the foundations of the two-state solution and the chances for peace and stability," he said in a statement.
"This is just the last in a long line of blows from the Israeli authorities to rip off piece-by-piece Palestinian land illegally occupied by Israeli forces," he said.
The President of the EP's second-largest group said the full session of the EP will debate the matter next week.
On his part, S&D Group vice-president Victor Bostinaru said in a statement that the decision of the Knesset is a deliberate attack against the two-state solution." "This decision goes against international law, against the vision of a just and lasting peace, and against the values of our partnership with Israel," he said. (end) nk.mt