DaysofPal – Seven major Western countries on Friday called on Israel to halt the expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank and curb the escalating violence carried out by settlers, accusing the Israeli government of fueling tensions, undermining regional stability, and weakening prospects for a two-state solution.
In a joint statement, Britain, Italy, France, Germany, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand said that conditions in the West Bank had deteriorated significantly in recent months.
The countries stressed that settler violence had reached unprecedented levels, while Israeli government policies and practices, including the continued expansion and consolidation of settlements, were eroding stability and damaging hopes for a future Palestinian state alongside Israel.
The statement urged the Israeli government to immediately stop settlement expansion and related administrative measures, ensure accountability for settler violence, and investigate allegations directed at Israeli forces operating in the occupied territory.
The seven nations also condemned Israel’s controversial “E1” settlement plan, a project involving the construction of approximately 3,400 settlement units across 12 square kilometers in the occupied West Bank. The statement warned that the project would constitute “a serious violation of international law.”
In addition, the countries cautioned companies against participating in tenders connected to construction projects in the E1 area or other settlement expansion schemes, urging businesses to consider the legal consequences and the risk of involvement in serious violations of international law.
The statement further called on Israel to ease financial restrictions imposed on the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian economy. The countries also expressed their strong opposition to calls advocating the annexation of Palestinian territories and the forced displacement of Palestinians, including statements made by members of the Israeli government.
In the same context, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday urged Israel to stop settlement expansion in the West Bank and reiterated support for “peace based on a two-state solution,” describing settler violence as having reached “an unprecedented level.”
Meanwhile, the Netherlands announced a complete ban on the import of products originating from Israeli settlements.
The joint statement by the seven countries came after a tense week in European-Israeli relations, following the circulation of a video published by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. The footage reportedly showed Israeli soldiers humiliating activists from the “Global Sumud Flotilla” after intercepting their vessels in international waters as they attempted to break the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip.
Following the incident, Italy and Spain called on the European Union to impose sanctions on Ben-Gvir, while Ireland urged the bloc to take action against Israel over its treatment of the activists, according to a leaked letter reviewed by Agence France-Presse.
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