JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- South Africa has condemned and expressed dismay over a statement attributed to Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, in which he reportedly ordered preparations for the annexation of the occupied West Bank.

The South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said in a statement released late Wednesday that the development was "compounded" by a decision adopted by the Israeli Cabinet on June 18, which gave Smotrich approval to plan construction in the occupied Palestinian territory (OPT).

According to media reports, Smotrich, who oversees the settlements, said on Monday that he had directed his department to prepare the necessary infrastructure for applying Israeli sovereignty.

"It should be recalled that soon after his appointment to his current position, Mr. Smotrich moved quickly to approve thousands of new settlement homes and legalized previously unauthorized settlements, which practically made it more difficult for Palestinians to build homes and move around," DIRCO said in the statement.

The department said it believes the Israeli government has long sought to find ways to permanently seize or annex the occupied West Bank.

"South Africa calls on the international community to unequivocally oppose the Israeli government's continued violation of its obligations under International Law and Resolutions relating to its belligerent occupation," DIRCO said.

"The Israeli government's provocative policies and actions are extreme and warrant decisive response by the international community. South Africa is opposed to the Israeli illegal annexation and settlement expansion on Palestinian lands," it noted.

DIRCO further stated that the annexation plans reflect Israel's reluctance to pursue a two-state solution. "These developments go further than just a de facto annexation of the OPT and entrenching the illegal Israel's presence in the OPT, particularly in the West Bank," it explained.

"South Africa further calls for concrete actions aimed at reviving a political process, leading to the establishment of a viable Palestinian state, in compliance with all relevant UN Resolutions, international law, and internationally agreed parameters," it added.

Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Middle East war and has expanded settlements there ever since. The international community widely regards these Israeli settlements, located in the area where Palestinians hope to establish a future state, as a major obstacle to peace between Israel and Palestine. Enditem

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