The Russian Foreign Ministry has condemned Israel’s plan to build 3,000 settlement units in the occupied West Bank, describing the decision as disappointing, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.

Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry, was quoted by WAFA as saying, “We reaffirm Russia’s principled position that Israel’s settlement activity is illegal.”

💬 #Zakharova: On October 24, Israel announced plans to expand its settlements on the West Bank.

Moscow is disappointed with this decision by the Israeli government.

☝️ We reaffirm Russia’s principled position that Israel’s settlement activity is illegal. pic.twitter.com/MGZaz5sn9B

— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) October 28, 2021

“Such unilateral actions undermine the chances of a survivable and geographically indivisible Palestinian state within the framework of its resolutions and the efforts of the international community to create the conditions for the resumption of political dialogue between Palestine and Israel as soon as possible,” she added, according to WAFA.

“The Israeli government’s plans to double the number of Israeli citizens in the Jordan River Valley by 2026 can be considered the annexation of most of the occupied Palestinian territory,” Zakharova continued.

#Japan Condemns #Israel’s Plan to Build Thousands of New #Settlement Units https://t.co/1F4B4BwJIN via @PalestineChron pic.twitter.com/30FBV1rSuc

— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) October 28, 2021

Zakharova called on all parties to avoid steps that would increase tensions in the region.

Between 500,000 and 600,000 Israelis live in Jewish-only settlements across occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank in violation of international law.

(The Palestine Chronicle, WAFA, Social Media)