Fourteen countries, including France, Britain, Canada, and Japan, have condemned Israel's recent approval of new illegal Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.
"We, the 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 released by the French foreign ministry on Wednesday.
"We recall our clear opposition to any form of annexation and to the expansion of settlement policies," the statement said.
The statement also said the illegal settlements violate international law and risk instability.
The countries warned that the decision could undermine the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan for Gaza as efforts continue to move to phase two, while also harming long-term peace and security across the region.
The signatories reiterated their opposition to annexation and settlement expansion, including plans linked to the E1 settlement area and the approval of thousands of new housing units.
They called on Israel to reverse the decision and halt settlement expansion "in line with UNSC (UN Security Council) Resolution 2334."
Palestinian self-determination
The statement reaffirmed support for Palestinian self-determination and renewed commitment to a negotiated political solution.
The countries said they remain committed to “a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace based on the two-state solution,” stressing that “there is no alternative to a negotiated two-state solution” in which Israel and Palestine live side by side in peace and security within recognised borders.
Israel's security cabinet approved the establishment of 19 new illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, bringing the total number approved over the past three years to 69.
The Israeli rights groups have said about 500,000 illegal Israeli settlers live in settlements across the occupied West Bank, while another 250,000 live in settlements built on land in occupied East Jerusalem.
