14 Countries Condemn Israel’s 19 New Settlements in Occupied West Bank, Call for Reversal
New Delhi: In a joint statement released released on Wednesday (December 24), 14 countries – including Canada, Germany, France and the UK – have condemned Israel's approval of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The statement said that the new settlements were not only in violation of international law but also risked fuelling instability.
"We recall our clear opposition to any form of annexation and to the expansion of settlement policies, including the approval of the E1 settlement and thousands of new housing units," it said.
The countries called for a reversal of Israel's decision and as well as halting the expansion of existing settlements.
The statement in full is produced below.
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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.
We recall that such unilateral actions, as part of a wider intensification of the settlement policies in the West Bank, not only violate international law but also risk fueling instability. They risk undermining the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan for Gaza amid efforts to progress to phase 2 and harming prospects for long term peace and security across the region.
We recall our clear opposition to any form of annexation and to the expansion of 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 the expansion of settlements, in line with UNSC Resolution 2334.
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 in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side-by-side in peace and security within secure and recognized borders. We reaffirm that there is no alternative to a negotiated two-state solution.
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