European Nations and Japan Condemn Israel’s Approval of New West Bank Settlements

Thirteen European countries and Japan have strongly criticized Israel’s decision to approve 19 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, warning that the move undermines prospects for long-term peace and regional stability.
In a joint statement, the countries said the approval represents a unilateral action that violates international law and risks further instability in the region. The statement reaffirmed their commitment to a two-state solution, calling for Israel and Palestine to coexist peacefully within secure and recognized borders.
Israel’s cabinet approved the legalization and establishment of the 19 settlements earlier this month, including two sites previously evacuated under the 2005 disengagement plan. The decision comes amid a surge in settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank and an accelerated expansion of settlement activity under Israel’s current right-wing government.
Israel’s foreign minister rejected the criticism, insisting that Jewish people have the right to live throughout the land and that foreign governments will not dictate Israeli settlement policy. Meanwhile, international bodies continue to regard Israeli settlements as illegal under international law, warning that ongoing expansion and violence further erode the chances of a negotiated peace.