A general view of an illegal Israeli settlement in the occupied Palestinian lands in al-Quds. (File photo) <\/p>\n
Israeli Economy Minister Naftali Bennett says that the idea of establishing an independent Palestinian state has reached a dead end.\n<\/p>\n
“The idea that a Palestinian state will be founded within \u2026 Israel has reached a dead end,” Bennett said on Monday.\n<\/p>\n
Bennett, who heads the hardline nationalist Jewish Home Party, said the most important thing Israel should do is to build more settler units.\n<\/p>\n
The Israeli minister has consistently voiced opposition to the two-state solution backed by key Israeli ally Washington and the rest of the international community.\n<\/p>\n
Following Bennett\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s remarks, Chief Palestinian Authority Negotiator Saeb Erekat accused Israel of officially declaring the death of the two-state solution.\n<\/p>\n
“Several high-ranking Israeli officials have made clear statements regarding their position to actively work against the internationally endorsed two-state solution on the 1967 borders,” Erakat said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Erekat says the comments by high-ranking Israeli officials against the two-state solution are not isolated events, but a reaffirmation of political platforms and radical beliefs. <\/p>\n
A report released last month revealed that the Israeli regime confiscated 1,977 acres of the Palestinian lands in the occupied West Bank for its settlement activity during 2012.\n<\/p>\n
The settlements, which cover an area roughly equal to 1,035 soccer fields and twice as big as New York’s Central Park, were approved by \u00c5\u201cmilitary order,\u201d the Israeli daily Haaretz<\/i> reported on May 27.\n<\/p>\n
More than half a million Israelis live in over 120 illegal settlements built since Israel\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East al-Quds in 1967.\n<\/p>\n
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