PALESTINIAN Liberation Organisation secretary-general Saeb Erekat today condemned Israel’s announcement of plans to build more than 5,000 new settlement homes in the occupied West Bank.

He said that the approval of 5,200 units in the “illegal colonial settlements of Givat Hamatos and Har Homa” south of Jerusalem was the outcome of the Trump administration’s partnership with Israel through “the recently formed annexation committee.”

The committee of US and Israeli officials – but no Palestinian representatives – is tasked with mapping out areas of the West Bank that Israel may annexe as part of US President Donald Trump’s so-called peace plan.

 “Such illegal activities only consolidate Israel's de facto annexation of our lands towards passing more of its colonial commands to further legalise land theft and denial of our history, rights and humanity,” Mr Erekat warned. 

“Israeli settlements are swallowing Palestinian lands and depriving the people of Palestine of any means to free, dignified and respectful lives.”

He branded Israel’s colonial project a “deliberate act of aggression” which “articulates Israel’s rejection of the right of Palestine and Palestinians to exist.”

Mr Erekat appealed to the international community to ensure that both the US and Israel stop their violations of international law.