The Israeli-controlled Jerusalem Municipality ratified a plan to build 20 settler units in East Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah.

The neighborhood has been under threat and assault for over a year with the case of Um Kamal Al-Kurd drawing international attention. She was thrown from her home at gunpoint and then the tent she moved to was demolished several times.

Palestinian Legislative Council member, Jehad Abu Zneid, issued a condemnation on Monday against the continued settlement in the northern part of the city.

“All schemes for Israeli settlements are a major blow to US and European efforts to put an end to continued settlement activity in the West Bank and city of Jerusalem,” Abu Zneid said.

The PLC deputy’s office is in the city of Jerusalem and he added of the latest affront to international law, “The pace of settlement has markedly accelerated, especially in the wake of the statements by the US to the occupation to cease all settlement activities in the West Bank and Jerusalem, which proves that the occupation does not comply with any such demands. It continues to completely ignore all international law, resolutions and calls to put an end to its policies and practices against the Palestinian people and the confiscation of Palestinian land for the construction of settlements and for settlement expansion.”

Palestinian homes are being demolished in Jerusalem with more under threat. Abu Zneid said today that serious international attention must be paid. Many activists and politicians are calling for sanctions against the Israelis.

“We need the international community to pressure an end to the practices of racism in Jerusalem,” he said.

The ratification of 20 more settler units in Sheikh Jarrah was made on Sunday.