Fourteen countries, including Britain, Canada, Denmark and France, have condemned Israel’s approval of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, saying the move was illegal and jeopardised the Gaza ceasefire and “long-term peace and security across the region”.
The countries said Israel’s actions “violate international law” and risked undermining the fragile truce in Gaza as mediators work to implement the second phase of the ceasefire in a war that has seen Israeli forces kill almost 71,000 Palestinians.
We, States of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and the United Kingdom condemn the approval by the Israeli security cabinet of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank,” according to a joint statement.
“We recall our clear opposition to any form of annexation and to the expansion of settlement policies,” the countries said, adding: “We call on Israel to reverse this decision, as well as the expansion of settlements.”
“We are resolute in our support of Palestinians’ right of self-determination. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the Two-State solution.”
