The United Kingdom, Canada, and a group of European and international partners on Wednesday strongly condemned Israel’s decision to approve a new wave of settlement construction in the occupied West Bank, warning that the move violates international law and threatens regional stability.

In a joint statement, the governments of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Germany denounced the Israeli security cabinet’s approval of 19 new settlements in occupied Palestinian territory.

“We condemn the approval by the Israeli security cabinet of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank,” the statement said, describing the decision as part of a broader escalation in Israel’s settlement expansion policies.

The signatories stressed that such unilateral actions constitute a serious breach of international law and further entrench Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian land.

“We recall that such unilateral actions, as part of a wider intensification of settlement policies in the West Bank, not only violate international law but also risk fueling instability,” the statement added.

The countries warned that Israel’s settlement expansion could undermine ongoing international efforts to advance the Comprehensive Plan for Gaza, particularly attempts to move toward phase two of the plan, while also damaging prospects for a just and lasting peace across the region.

Reaffirming their long-standing position, the signatories reiterated their firm opposition to any form of annexation and to the continued expansion of Israeli settlements, including the controversial E1 settlement project and the approval of thousands of new housing units.

The statement also urged Israel, as the occupying power, to immediately reverse its decision and halt settlement expansion in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, which declares Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories illegal and calls for an end to all settlement activity.

Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem are widely regarded by the international community as illegal under international law, a view Israel rejects. Settlement expansion has long been seen as a major obstacle to the realization of Palestinian self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

The latest condemnation adds to growing international criticism of Israel’s policies in the occupied territories, amid escalating tensions and continued violations affecting Palestinian land, rights, and livelihoods. (ILKHA)