RAMALLAH, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Stopping settlement expansion and ending the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories is one integrated package for achieving peace and stability in the region, said a senior Palestinian official here on Thursday.
Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the Palestinian presidential spokesperson, said that without changing the Israeli policy of expanding, annexing, and perpetuating the occupation, "the entire region will be at a dangerous historical and strategic crossroads."
Abu Rudeineh made the remarks in response to a statement issued by the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denying that the Israeli government has decided to freeze settlement in the West Bank.
Israel occupied the West Bank in 1967 and established settlements on it, a move considered a violation of international law and a major source of conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.
On Wednesday, Israel Radio reported that Netanyahu pledged during a phone call with U.S. President Joe Biden to suspend settlement construction until the end of 2023. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office categorically denied this. ■
