Fourteen countries condemn Israel’s new settlements, reaffirm Palestinian self-determination
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Fourteen countries, including Canada, Germany, France and the United Kingdom, have jointly condemned Israel’s approval of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, stating that the decision violates international law, risks fuelling instability, and undermines prospects for a two-state solution, while calling on Israel to reverse the move and halt further settlement expansion in line with UN Security Council resolutions.
In a joint statement released on Wednesday, December 24, the countries said the approval by Israel’s security cabinet formed part of a wider intensification of settlement policies in the West Bank, which they argued not only contravened international legal norms but also threatened regional stability at a sensitive moment.
The statement linked the settlement approvals to broader geopolitical consequences, warning that such unilateral actions could undermine efforts related to the Comprehensive Plan for Gaza, particularly as attempts continue to move towards a second phase of implementation.
The signatories reiterated their opposition to any form of annexation, while emphasising that the expansion of settlement activity, including the advancement of the E1 settlement area and the approval of thousands of new housing units, further erodes the viability of a negotiated peace.
They maintained that continued settlement growth risks fragmenting Palestinian territory, thereby weakening the foundations required for a lasting political settlement between Israelis and Palestinians.
Calling for a reversal of the decision, the countries urged Israel not only to rescind the approval of the 19 new settlements but also to halt the expansion of existing ones, aligning its actions with UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which affirms that Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory have no legal validity.
The statement framed adherence to international resolutions as essential to preserving any remaining prospects for a durable peace process.
The joint declaration also reaffirmed the signatories’ support for the Palestinian right to self-determination, while underscoring their continued commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution.
According to the statement, such a resolution remains the only viable pathway, envisaging Israel and Palestine as two democratic states living side by side in peace and security within secure and recognised borders.
The letter concluded by stressing that there was no alternative to a negotiated two-state solution, signalling that ongoing settlement expansion was incompatible with internationally supported efforts to achieve long-term peace and security across the region.