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UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 27-- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday refuted a recent U.S. statement recognizing the Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories in his message to a gathering at the UN headquarters. On Nov. 18, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the U.S. government will no longer consider Israel's West Bank settlements "inconsistent" with the international law, a move that may further dim the future of the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. "Such unlawful statements and decisions by the United States only embolden the Israeli government in perpetuating its occupation and in accelerating its settlement activities and in further committing crimes," said Abbas in his message for the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, which was read by Palestinian Permanent Observer to the UN Riyad Mansour. The Palestinian leader called the U.S. decision a violation of international law, which proves the United States "unqualified to be an honest broker" on the Palestinian-Israeli issue, and expressed appreciation for the international community's rejection of the statement. He further urged the world "not to recognize the illegal situation created by Israel's illegal policies and practices in occupied Palestine, including East Jerusalem, and not to render aid or assistance that would allow this situation to be maintained and entrenched." Moreover, he said the Palestinians will continue engaging in efforts that aim to advance the rule of international law, including through the building of national institutions, spreading the culture of peace, and empowering the people. | 
