Brussels: European leaders on Friday renewed calls for Israel to halt its settlement expansion plans in the occupied West Bank, warning that the move would breach international law and jeopardize prospects for a two-state solution.
According to Anadolu Agency, Finland's Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen expressed 'deep concern' over Israel's intention to advance the E1 settlement plan. Valtonen stated that the move undermines prospects for a viable Palestinian state and breaches international law, urging Israel to refrain from moving forward with this decision.
This statement came after several other European nations, including the UK, Germany, Spain, and the EU, issued strong warnings against the project following reports from Israeli media. The reports indicated that Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich had approved the construction of 3,401 settler units in Ma'ale Adumim, east of Jerusalem, and an additional 3,515 units in surrounding areas.
The German Foreign Ministry emphasized that these plans violate international law and threaten the viability of a negotiated two-state solution. The ministry stated that such actions would effectively divide the West Bank into two halves, severing East Jerusalem from the rest of the territory, and urged Israel to halt any settlement construction while rejecting unilateral annexation plans.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy highlighted the 'appalling' situation in Gaza and accused Israel of further jeopardizing the two-state solution. He called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, increased humanitarian aid, and a plan for lasting peace.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares condemned the decision to build 3,000 homes in the West Bank as a violation of international law that undermines peace prospects. He also criticized the expansion of settlements and the violence of settlers.
Switzerland also expressed strong opposition to Israel's plans, with the Swiss Foreign Ministry stating on social media that the projects violate international law, undermine the two-state solution, and fuel tensions.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned that if the settlement plan is implemented, it would permanently cut the geographical and territorial contiguity between East Jerusalem and the West Bank, further fueling tensions and eroding the possibility for peace. She mentioned that the EU is considering actions to protect the viability of the two-state solution.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry denounced the move as part of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's vision for 'Greater Israel,' warning it would entrench the occupation and eliminate the viability of a Palestinian state. The international community, including the UN, considers Israeli settlements illegal under international law.
The UN has repeatedly cautioned that continued settlement expansion threatens the viability of a two-state solution, which is seen as essential for resolving the longstanding Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The International Court of Justice had previously declared Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory as illegal and called for the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.