Turkey rejects Israeli plan to expand West Bank settlements

Turkey has sharply criticised Israel’s latest move to expand settlements across the occupied West Bank, warning it would deal a heavy blow to Palestinian territorial rights.

In a statement on Thursday, the Turkish foreign ministry said creating a sovereign Palestinian state remained the only route to lasting peace in the region.

“This step … totally disregards international law and United Nations resolutions; targets the State of Palestine’s territorial integrity, the basis for a two-state solution, and hopes for peace,” the ministry said.