RAMALLAH, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian Deputy Foreign Minister Tayseer Jaradat on Tuesday slammed the new Israeli law to extend education law over the academic institutions in Jewish settlements built in the West Bank.
The law adopted by the Knesset, Israel's parliament, Monday night, is "null, void and means nothing because settlements are illegal," Jaradat told Xinhua.
He said that this law comes as part of a series of bills spearheaded by Israeli right wing parties "in attempt to legalize and anchor settlements and take over Palestinian lands resources," explaining that it remains illegal under international law.
He stressed that the UN resolution 2334 issued last December is a clear manifestation of the illegality of settlements, since it demands Israel to dismantle its settlements in the West Bank.
Jaradat urged the international community to step in to "stop unilateral Israeli measures that disrupt any possibility to resume the peace process in the region."
The Knesset adopted a new law that would allow the extension of the education law to apply on academic institutions based in Jewish settlements in the West Bank, with 56 votes in favor and 36 against.
According to the law, the Council of Higher Education in the West Bank is dismantled and the schools and universities in settlements will follow the Council of Higher Education in Israel.
Right wing Knesset Member Shall Moalem Refaeli, who submitted the draft law said this law allows Israel "to apply its sovereignty over settlements."
