Copenhagen, March 11 (RHC)-- Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen has joined a chorus of international condemnation of Israel’s approval of new settlement units in the occupied West Bank.

“[Denmark] supports the EU’s call for Israel to withdraw the latest decision to build over 3,000 new settlement units in the occupied West Bank.  We emphasise that the settlements are illegal under international law and a significant barrier to peace,” he said.

The planned illegal settlements -- which will see about 3,500 new housing units constructed in Maale Adumim, Kedar and Efrat -- have been condemned by France, Germany, Qatar, Jordan and the UAE in recent days.