Britain, France, 19 Others Condemn Israel’s West Bank Settlement Project
Britain, France, and 19 other countries have condemned Israel’s approval of a controversial settlement project in the occupied West Bank, describing it as “unacceptable and a violation of international law.” The joint statement, signed by the foreign ministers of 21 nations including Australia, Canada, Italy, Spain, and Sweden, urged Israel to immediately reverse its decision to develop the 12-square-kilometre E1 area east of Jerusalem. The plan, announced on Wednesday, would add 3,400 housing units between Jerusalem and the settlement of Maale Adumim. The signatories warned the project would “make a two-state solution impossible by dividing any Palestinian state and restricting Palestinian access to Jerusalem.” They said the move threatens security, fuels violence, and pushes peace further out of reach. The Palestinian Authority and UN Secretary-General António Guterres also denounced the decision, while Britain summoned Israeli ambassador Tzipi Hotovely to formally […]