Earlier this month, 13 European countries and Japan condemned Israel’s recognition of 19 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, asserting that this decision undermines peace and stability in the region. The joint statement pointed out that such unilateral actions violate international law and contribute to ongoing instability.
Israel’s Cabinet approved the settlements on December 11, with far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announcing the decision. This approval includes outposts, two from a 2005 withdrawal plan, amid increasing violence against Palestinians by Israeli settlers.
The countries involved—Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and the UK—reiterated their commitment to a two-state solution based on United Nations resolutions, ensuring coexistence between Israel and Palestine.
Contrarily, Israel’s foreign minister rejected the statement, affirming Jews’ right to establish a homeland in the territory. The West Bank, occupied since 1967, is home to over 3.3 million Palestinians, yet Israeli leaders have increasingly dismissed the prospect of a Palestinian state.
The settlements are considered illegal under both international and Israeli law, with the current right-wing Israeli government accelerating settlement activity since 2023. Meanwhile, attacks by Jewish settlers against Palestinians have surged, particularly during harvest season, exacerbating tensions in the area. A recent UN report indicated at least 264 such attacks in October, the highest since tracking began in 2006, prompting calls for Israel to prevent further violence and protect Palestinian communities.
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