Western countries have warned Israel to stop the spread of illegal, violent | Israel-Palestine War News

Nine countries including the UK, Germany and France warn that the West Bank settlements are a ‘violation of international law’.

Nine Western countries have urged Israel to stop expanding settlements in the occupied West Bank, in a joint statement that also condemned violence against settlers and warned construction companies not to award tenders.

In a joint statement on Friday, the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Norway and the Netherlands stressed that this type of implementation violates international law.

Recommended Articles

list of 4 itemsend of series

“In the past few months, the situation in the West Bank has worsened. Settler violence is at unprecedented levels. The policies and actions of the Israeli government, including the further establishment of Israeli sovereignty, are disrupting stability and the prospect of a two-state solution,” he said.

Human rights groups say Israeli authorities have allowed the settlers to do so it works without any penalty in their attacks on the Palestinian people.

In February, Israel accepted the plan to take over large areas of Palestinian land in the West Bank that were confiscated as “state property”.

More than 700,000 Israelis live in illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.

“International law is clear: Cities of Israel in the West Bank it is prohibited. Construction in the E1 area will never be the same again,” the statement said, adding that the development will divide the West Bank in two and is in serious violation of international law.

The plan to build thousands of new homes in the E1 area, east of East Jerusalem, will connect large and illegal areas. Ma’ale Adumim Settle with Jerusalem, and dive into the West Bank and isolate the Palestinian territories. It can also spread up to 12 square kilometers (4.6 sq miles).

“Businesses should not order E1 construction businesses or other domestic activities. They should be aware of the legal and historical consequences of participating in construction, including the risk of involving themselves in serious violations of international law,” he said.

“We call on the Israeli Government to stop its expansion of settlements and administrations, to ensure a response to the violence of the settlers and to investigate the crimes against the Israeli army, to respect the Hashemite preservation of the Holy Places of Jerusalem and historical arrangements, and to remove the financial restrictions on the PA (Palestine Authority) and the Palestinian economy,” he added.

Increasing criticism of Israel’s actions

The joint statement came after a difficult week for European-Israeli relations following the publication of a video showing the brutality of foreign activists who were abducted by Israeli forces in international waters on a flotilla bound for Gaza.

Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video showing him mocking human rights activists at a permanent marker in the Israeli city of Ashdod.

The activists are seen tied with rope and kneeling as the Israeli national anthem plays in the video, which was released on Wednesday.

Several countries, including Italy and France, have summoned Israeli ambassadors to explain the crisis.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot also condemned Ben-Gvir’s actions as “unacceptable”.

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said the situation was “extremely difficult”.

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the video showed “disgraceful behavior”.

On Thursday, Israel expelled hundreds of activists from the flotilla it kidnapped. After being released, the activists said they were tortured torture while in Israeli prison. Some reported rape; several of the activists were hospitalized with injuries.