CAIRO: Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Kamel Amr condemned Israel's decision to accelerate the construction of 2,000 settlement units in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. Amr said this decision represents a blow to all efforts exerted to reach a just settlement of the conflict regarding the Palestinian issue. “The decision is also a provocation to the Palestinians," said Amr, adding that it involves the disregard of international will, which unanimously rejected the settlements and considers them “an obstacle in the way of peace."