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Israel Law Legalizing West Bank Settlements to Have ‘Far Reaching’ Consequences

© REUTERS / Baz RatnerA construction site is seen in the Israeli settlement of Beitar Ilit, in the occupied West Bank December 22, 2016
A construction site is seen in the Israeli settlement of Beitar Ilit, in the occupied West Bank December 22, 2016 - Sputnik International
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The adoption of a bill by the Israeli parliament that retroactively legalizes Israeli settlements in the West Bank will have serious legal consequences, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric said in a statement on Tuesday.

Houses are seen atop a hill in the Israeli settlement of Givat Ze'ev, in the occupied West Bank February 7, 2017 - Sputnik International
Irish FM: Israel’s West Bank Settlement Legislation Violates Int'l Law
UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) — On Monday, the so-called Regulation Law was approved 60 to 52 despite the December UN Security Council resolution calling on Israel to immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the area.

"The Secretary-General deeply regrets the adoption of the so called "Regularisation bill" on 6 February by the Knesset. This bill is in contravention of international law and will have far reaching legal consequences for Israel," the spokesman said.

According to Dujarric, the secretary-general insists that any actions potentially impeding the two-state solution should be avoided and all key issues should be settled through direct negotiations "on the basis of relevant Security Council resolutions and mutual agreements".

On December 23, 2016, the UN Security Council voted 14-0, with the United States abstaining, to pass a resolution calling on Israel to immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the areas.

However, in January, Israeli authorities approved the construction of thousands of new housing units in the occupied West Bank despite the resolution.

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