TEHRAN (Press TV) - The Iranian Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned a recent Zionist bill to legalize some 4,000 settler units in the occupied West Bank, saying the Tel Aviv regime’s settlements are a "mass and blatant violation” of international law.
The illegitimate nature of the Zionist regime is based on the occupation of Palestinian lands, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said.
"The Zionist regime’s settlement plan is against regulations and principles recognized by the international community, particularly international human rights and international humanitarian law,” he added.
He emphasized that those who are behind such moves are flagrantly violating international law and "must be prosecuted.”
"The settlements are a serious obstacle to the materialization of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination,” Qassemi said.
The Iranian spokesperson urged all "government and international institutions” to make use of all possible means at their disposal "in order to oblige the Zionist regime [Israel] to abide by international rules and principles.”
He also called on governments, the United Nations and other relevant bodies not to suffice to merely condemning the Zionist moves in words without taking any practical measure.
The world bodies make an "immediate and practical” move to "stop the continuation of inhuman and illegal activities of this regime and prevent [the construction of] new settlements in Palestine,” Qassemi said.
Zionist lawmakers on Wednesday approved a hugely-controversial bill legalizing some 4,000 settler units built on private Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank.
The international community regards all settlements as illegal. The Tel Aviv regime has, however, continued to expand its illegal construction activities, defying warnings that the move could hamper the so-called Middle East peace talks.
****Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi strongly condemned a recent Zionist bill to legalize some 4,000 settler units in the occupied West bank.