Norway condemns Israeli move to simplify process of approving settlement construction in West Bank

OSLO, Norway - The Norwegian government has condemned the decision by the Israeli government to simplify the process of approving construction of new Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

"The international community stands united in its condemnation of the Israeli settlements. I strongly urge the Israeli authorities to halt and reverse settlement activity on occupied Palestinian land," Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt said in a statement on Tuesday.

She said the recent Israeli move would lead to blurring the administrative distinction between Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.

"The increase in settlements is damaging for the possibility of resuming negotiations on a two-state solution and establishing a Palestinian state," said Huitfeldt.

She also condemned the recent Israeli attacks on civilians in the West Bank, saying it was heartbreaking when children were affected.

Israel occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which are claimed by the Palestinians in the 1967 Middle East war and has controlled them ever since.

Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem is one of the thorny issues between the two sides, which forms an obstacle to direct peace negotiations.

During a weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday, the Israeli government authorized Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to assume the main responsibility for settlement planning and construction in the West Bank, which will expedite the approval process. - XINHUA