Ramallah, December 7 (RHC)-- Palestinian leaders and the international community are expressing outrage at the Israeli parliament’s vote this week to retroactively legalize thousands of Jewish-only settlements on Palestinian land in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. 

The settlements are considered illegal under international law.  The measure passed the first of three required votes during a contentious session Monday, 60 to 49.  

Arab-Israeli lawmaker Ahmad Tibi told reporters: "The law of organizing and legalizing the settlements, Amona, specifically, is one of the most dangerous laws.  This says that this state and its institutions are focusing on settlements and changing the law or putting the law or facing the high court, which ordered the evacuation of Amona for these houses, that were built on a stolen Palestinian land whose owners exist."