Manila: The Philippines has expressed "deep concern" over Israeli illegal settlements in the West Bank and urged "all parties" to "desist from unilateral actions that erode the conditions for peace."
According to Anadolu Agency, the Philippine Foreign Ministry highlighted its alarm in a statement on Thursday regarding Israel's plans to advance the E1 settlement project. The ministry also noted the rising incidents of settler violence in the West Bank. Israeli authorities are set to open tenders on October 25 for 2,167 settlement units under the E1 project, alongside 1,234 units from a separate tender issued in August, totaling 3,401 units.
The E1 project is strategically located east of Jerusalem and aims to connect the Maale Adumim settlement with occupied Jerusalem through the seizure of Palestinian land, as stated by the Palestinian presidency. Manila emphasized that such actions may contravene international law and are detrimental to finding a just, lasting, and comprehensive solution to the Middle East conflict.
The Philippine statement urged all parties to avoid actions that could undermine the viability of a future Palestinian state. It reaffirmed the Philippines' commitment to upholding the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people, particularly their right to self-determination.
Since the onset of Israel's war on the Gaza Strip in 2023, there has been an escalation in attacks by the Israeli army and settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. These attacks encompass killings, arrests, demolition of homes, burning of mosques and vehicles, bulldozing agricultural land, preventing farmers from accessing their land, the displacement of Palestinians, and illegal settlement expansion.
Israel has maintained its occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since 1967. The international community generally views Israeli settlements on occupied territories as illegal under international law, yet Israel continues its settlement activity despite facing international criticism.