Israel condemned for approval of 19 settlements in occupied West Bank | Israel
14 countries, including the UK, Canada and Germany, condemned the Israeli security cabinet’s approval of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, on the grounds that they violate international law and risk fueling instability.
Israel last Sunday approved a proposal for new Jewish settlements, a new record that brings the total number in the past few years to 69, according to far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich.
In the joint statement issued by the UK, including Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway and Spain, it was said, “We call on Israel to reverse this decision and expand the settlements.”
The statement continued: “Such unilateral actions, which are part of the further intensification of settlement policies in the West Bank, not only violate international law but also risk fueling instability.
“Efforts to advance to phase two risk undermining the implementation of the comprehensive plan for Gaza, undermining long-term prospects for peace and security across the region.
“We recall our unequivocal opposition to any expansion of annexation and settlement policies, including the approval of the E1 settlement and thousands of new housing units.
“We call on Israel to reverse this decision, as well as expand the settlements in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2334.”
Israel’s latest expansion plan includes two settlements previously evacuated during the 2005 secession plan.
The security cabinet’s approval increased the number of settlements in the West Bank by nearly 50% during the current government’s tenure. In 2022, there were 141 settlements in the West Bank. There are 210 after final approval, according to anti-settlement watchdog group Peace Now.
The settlements are considered illegal under international law.
In the statement made on Wednesday, the following statements were made: “We are determined to support the Palestinians’ right to self-determination. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on a two-state solution in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council, in which two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace and security within safe and recognized borders. We reaffirm that there is no alternative to the negotiated two-state solution.”
