‘’We reiterate our strong opposition to its policy of settlement expansion across the Occupied Palestinian Territories, which violates international law and undermines efforts for the two-state solution,’’ reads the statement issued by the spokespersons of the foreign ministries of Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain and Sweden.
The British Minister for the Middle East and North Africa James Cleverly, also issued a statement saying: ‘’We urge the Government of Israel to reverse the decisions on 24 October and 27 October to advance the construction of settlement units in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. Settlements are illegal under international law and present an obstacle to peace and stability.’’
Eleven EU countries and the U.K. have issued a statement urging the Israeli government to reverse its decision to advance plans for the construction of around 3,000 homes in West Bank settlements.
‘’We reiterate our strong opposition to its policy of settlement expansion across the Occupied Palestinian Territories, which violates international law and undermines efforts for the two-state solution,’’ reads the statement issued by the spokespersons of the foreign ministries of Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain and Sweden.
‘’We call on both parties to build on steps taken in recent months to improve cooperation and reduce tensions. We reiterate our call to implement United Nations Resolution 2334 with all its provisions, with the aim of rebuilding trust and creating the conditions necessary for promoting peace,’’ the statement adds.
The British Minister for the Middle East and North Africa James Cleverly, also issued a statement saying: ‘’We urge the Government of Israel to reverse the decisions on 24 October and 27 October to advance the construction of settlement units in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. Settlements are illegal under international law and present an obstacle to peace and stability.’’
The statement from the eleven EU countries came a day after the Supreme Planning Council of the Civil Administration approved plans for the construction of 3,130 homes in Area C of Judea and Samaria (the West Bank). At the same time, the construction of more than a thousand housing units for Palestinians in Area C was approved.
The Jerusalem Post noted in particular Poland’s participation in the group of eleven EU countries condemning the approved plans. ‘’It marks a shift in position. This comes after Warsaw enacted a law making it practically impossible for Holocaust survivors and their descendants to get restitution for property. Israel strongly criticized the new law, and the countries withdrew their ambassadors,’’ the paper wrote.
Sweden’s participation comes days after the visit in Israel of Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde and a thaw in ties between the two countries after years of tense relations following Stockholm’s recognition of a Palestinian state.
On Tuesday, the Biden administration said it strongly opposed Israel’s plans.”We are deeply concerned about the Israeli government’s plan to advance thousands of settlement units tomorrow, Wednesday, many of them deep in the West Bank,” U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price told journalists at a briefing.
“We strongly oppose the expansion of settlements, which is completely inconsistent with efforts to lower tensions and to ensure calm, and it damages the prospects for a two-state solution,” he said.
Price said the U.S. was continuing to raise its views on the issue directly with senior Israeli officials.
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett had mostly held off announcing new settlement construction since taking office in June, as he sought to ease tensions with Washington.