The United Kingdom has joined a coalition of thirteen other nations in issuing a forceful condemnation of Israel's recent approval of 19 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. The collective statement, released by the British government, labels the move a clear breach of international law and a dangerous action that threatens to fuel further instability in the region.
A Record Expansion Draws International Ire
On Sunday 23 December, Israel's security cabinet approved a proposal for the new settlements, a decision championed by the country's far-right Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich. According to Smotrich, this latest batch brings the total number of settlements approved in recent years to 69, marking a new record. The anti-settlement watchdog group Peace Now states this increases the total number of West Bank settlements from 141 in 2022 to 210—a near 50% expansion during the current government's tenure.
The joint declaration, signed by Britain, Canada, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, and Spain, leaves no room for ambiguity. "We call on Israel to reverse this decision, as well as the expansion of settlements," it states, aligning the demand with UN Security Council Resolution 2334.
Violations and Risks to Peace
The fourteen countries warned that such unilateral actions are part of a worrying intensification of settlement policy. "Such unilateral actions... not only violate international law but also risk fuelling instability," the statement reads. It further argues that the expansion undermines efforts to implement a comprehensive plan for Gaza and harms the prospects for lasting peace and security.
Significantly, the approved plans include two settlements, Sanur being one, that were previously evacuated under Israel's 2005 disengagement plan. Imagery from 23 December showed Israeli bulldozers levelling land at the evacuated Sanur site near Jenin, signalling a tangible step in the construction process.
Reaffirming Commitment to a Two-State Solution
In their condemnation, the coalition reiterated its "clear opposition to any form of annexation" and specifically cited opposition to the contentious E1 settlement plan and thousands of new housing units. The statement concluded with a firm recommitment to a negotiated peace based on the two-state solution.
"We are resolute in our support of Palestinians' right of self-determination," it affirmed. "We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace... where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace and security." The nations stressed that there is no viable alternative to this negotiated outcome.
