Israel’s settlement expansion continues to be a factor of conflict in the occupied West Bank, the representative warned in a statement released here.

These plans, he added, further entrench the occupation and undermine the Palestinians’ right to self-determination and an independent state.

Wennesland reiterated that all settlements are illegal under international law while urging the Tel Aviv authorities to cease these activities and refrain from “provocative actions.”

His statements rejected the announcement by the Israeli National Planning and Construction Council, which gave the “green light” to the construction of 3,476 housing units in that area.

The authorization includes 2,452 units in Maale Adumim, 694 in Efrat and 330 in Kedar, which ignores international regulations that consider settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem illegal.

On Thursday, the European Union (EU) and the U.S. State Department agreed that the project hinders peace efforts in the Middle East.

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