Palestine condemns Israeli PM's visit to West Bank settlement

Ramallah, March 3 Palestine has condemned the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the Israeli settlement of Har Brakha near the northern West Bank city of Nablus.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry on Thursday said in a press statement that "the provocative visit of Netanyahu into the West Bank and the hostile statements and stances he made are rejected and condemned".

A statement issued by Netanyahu's office said that he and his wife Sara arrived in the settlement to condole the family of the two Israelis who were killed in a shooting attack carried out by Palestin in the town of Hawara, south of Nablus on Sunday.

On Sunday, a Palestinian gunman opened fire at a vehicle of two Israelis in Hawara and killed them. In response, Israeli settlers attacked the town and burned dozens of cars and homes, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry added, "Netanyahu's visit has no legitimate or legal characteristic, contrary to the rules of international law, UN resolutions, and the signed agreements."

It said that "the visit reveals the true face of the Israeli government and its Prime Minister, who leads a government of settlements and settlers and sabotages the opportunity to revive the peace process".

The Israeli Prime Minister's visit comes amid tensions between the Palestin and Israelis since January 1.