The UK, Australia and Japan are amongst 21 international locations which have condemned Israel’s plans to construct a controversial unlawful settlement within the occupied West Financial institution, which they are saying renders a future two-state answer for Palestinians unimaginable.
“We condemn this resolution and name for its instant reversal within the strongest phrases,” the 21 international locations mentioned in a joint assertion on Thursday, describing Israel’s building plans as a “violation of worldwide legislation”.
The assertion follows information this week that Israel will formally transfer ahead with a settlement on a 12-square-kilometre (4.6-square-mile) tract of land east of Jerusalem often known as “East 1” or “E1”.
The event, which is able to embrace 3,400 new houses for Israeli settlers, will minimize off a lot of the occupied West Financial institution from occupied East Jerusalem whereas additionally linking up 1000’s of unlawful Israeli settlements within the space.
East Jerusalem carries specific significance to Palestinians because the best choice for the capital of a future Palestinian state.
The group of 21 nations mentioned any plans for a two-state answer will grow to be unimaginable “by dividing any Palestinian state and limiting Palestinian entry to Jerusalem”.
The group contains Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Eire, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
The unlawful settlement additionally “dangers undermining safety and fuels additional violence and instability, taking us additional away from peace”, the group mentioned, whereas bringing “no advantages to the Israeli individuals”.
The Palestinian Authority, the European Fee and United Nations chief Antonio Guterres have all voiced opposition to plans for the E1 settlement since Israel first introduced the information final week.
“Coupled with ongoing settler violence and army operations, these unilateral selections are fuelling an already tense scenario on the bottom and additional eroding any chance for peace,” the European Union mentioned in an announcement on August 14.
Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich mentioned settlements equivalent to E1 will assist erase Palestine from the map, at the same time as Palestinian statehood features growing worldwide recognition from UN member states.
“This actuality lastly buries the concept of a Palestinian state, as a result of there’s nothing to recognise and nobody to recognise,” Smotrich mentioned final week.
