The Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) condemned Tuesday Israel's plans to expand the three largest West Bank settlements saying it was a setback to Middle East peace efforts. "Israel's decision to expand settlements is a new attempt to impose new realities on the ground aimed at hampering progress towards a final deal," the Jeddah-based organisation said. Israel was attempting to "prevent the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, which has become an international demand and an essential condition for regional security and peace," said the statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency.
Akmal al-Din Oghali, secretary general of the 57-member OIC, called on the international community to "assume its responsibilities in preventing Israel from damaging international and regional efforts to resume the peace process."
Earlier this month, Israel vowed to press on with the expansion of the three largest Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank - Maale Adumim, east of Jerusalem, Gush Etzion, to its south, and Ariel to the north.
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