Pakistan on Friday condemned Israel over its decision to build newsettlement units in the occupied East Jerusalem.

In a statement, Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman Zahid Hafeez Chaudhrisaid the Israeli decision is illegal under international law and relevantUN resolutions.

“We have noted with serious concern Israel’s opening of the bidding processfor construction of new settlement units in the occupied Palestinianterritories,” Chaudhri said.

He added that Pakistan steadfastly supports the Palestinian people’sinalienable right to self-determination and reiterated his country’sconsistent, clear and, unambiguous position — for a just and lasting peacein the Middle East.

“It is imperative to have a two-state solution in accordance with therelevant United Nations and OIC resolutions, with the pre-1967 borders, andAl-Quds Al-Sharif [Jerusalem] as the capital of a viable, independent andcontiguous Palestinian State,” he noted.

On Nov. 14, the Israeli media revealed that Israel plans to build a further1,257 settlement units in the Israeli Givat Hamatos area of the occupiedEast Jerusalem.

Israel occupied the Palestinian territories, including the West Bank, EastJerusalem, and Gaza Strip in 1967. The Palestinians want these territoriesfor the establishment of a future Palestinian state.