'Settler Violence at Unprecedented Levels': Germany, UK, Seven Others Alarmed at Israel's West Bank Policies

'We call on the Government of Israel to end its expansion of settlements and administrative powers, ensure accountability for settler violence and investigate allegations against Israeli forces...'

The Wire Staff

'We call on the Government of Israel to end its expansion of settlements and administrative powers, ensure accountability for settler violence and investigate allegations against Israeli forces...'

settler violence at unprecedented levels germany uk seven others alarmed at israel s west bank policies

Members of the Israeli forces take positions during a military raid in the West Bank town of Qabatiya, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. Photo: AP/PTI.

New Delhi: Nine countries – Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom – have jointly expressed alarm over worsening conditions in the West Bank, citing unprecedented Israeli settler violence and policies that undermine stability and the possibility of a two-state solution.

The full statement is as follows:

“Statement by the leaders of Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom on the situation in the West Bank.

Over the past few months, the situation in the West Bank has deteriorated significantly. Settler violence is at unprecedented levels. The policies and practices of the Israeli government, including a further entrenchment of Israeli control, are undermining stability and prospects for a two-state solution.

International law is clear: Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal. Construction projects in the E1 area would be no exception.

The E1 settlement development would divide the West Bank in two and mark a serious breach of international law.

Businesses should not bid for construction tenders for E1 or other settlement developments. They should be aware of legal and reputational consequences of participating in settlement construction including the risk of involving themselves in serious breaches of international law.

We call on the Government of Israel to end its expansion of settlements and administrative powers, ensure accountability for settler violence and investigate allegations against Israeli forces, respect the Hashemite custodianship over Jerusalem’s Holy Sites and the historic status quo arrangements, and lift financial restrictions on the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian economy. We strongly oppose those, including members of the Israeli government, who argue for annexation and forcible displacement of the Palestinian population.

We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on a negotiated 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 recognised borders.”

This article went live on May twenty-third, two thousand twenty six, at fifty-one minutes past ten in the morning.

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