"We, States of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and the United Kingdom condemn the approval by the Israeli security cabinet of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, according to a joint statement. We recall our clear opposition to any form of annexation and to the expansion of settlement policies, the countries said, adding: We call on Israel to reverse this decision, as well as the expansion of settlements."
"On Sunday, Israel's far-right-wing Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced that authorities had greenlit the settlements plan, explicitly saying that the decision was aimed at preventing the establishment of a future Palestinian state. We are stopping the establishment of a Palestinian terrorist state on the ground, Smotrich said in announcing the plan. We will continue to develop, build and settle in the land of our ancestors, he said, according to The Times of Israel."
Fourteen countries including Britain, Canada, Denmark and France condemned Israel’s approval of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank and called for the decision to be reversed. The countries said the move violated international law and risked undermining the fragile Gaza truce while jeopardising long-term regional peace and security. The joint statement reaffirmed opposition to annexation and settlement expansion and expressed resolute support for Palestinians’ right to self-determination and a two-state solution. Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the plan aims to prevent a future Palestinian state and noted dozens of settlements approved or legalised since late 2022. The war has seen Israeli forces kill almost 71,000 Palestinians.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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