The Foreign Ministers of 26 countries, including Greece, Cyprus, France, Italy, Canada, Japan and the United Kingdom, along with the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell, have expressed their concern about the latest developments in the West Bank through a joint statement. The declaration concerns the Israeli Supreme Planning Committee’s decision to approve construction plans for settlements in the E1 area, east of Jerusalem, a decision that the signatories characterize as “unacceptable” and contrary to international law.
“We condemn this decision in the strongest possible terms and call for its immediate reversal,” the statement notes. According to the joint position, implementing the plan would make the prospect of a two-state solution unattainable, as it would lead to the fragmentation of the Palestinian state and restrict Palestinian access to Jerusalem. “Such a development would not serve the people of Israel, but would undermine security, fuel violence and further distance the possibility of a just and lasting peace,” the declaration emphasizes.
The countries call on the Israeli government to withdraw the E1 plan, reminding that similar unilateral actions undermine security and prosperity throughout the Middle East.
West Bank: Full statement from the Foreign Ministers
We, the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom, as well as the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, express our grave concern about recent developments.
The decision by the Israeli Supreme Planning Committee to approve plans for settlement construction in the E1 area, east of Jerusalem, is unacceptable and violates international law. We condemn this decision in the strongest possible terms and call for its immediate reversal.
Implementation of the E1 plan would make the prospect of a two-state solution impossible. It would cause fragmentation of the Palestinian state and restrict Palestinian access to Jerusalem. Such a development would not serve the people of Israel, but would instead undermine security, fuel further violence and instability, and further distance the possibility of a just and lasting peace.
The Government of Israel still has the opportunity to halt implementation of the E1 plan. We call on it to withdraw it without delay.
Such unilateral actions undermine our shared desire for security and prosperity throughout the Middle East. We recall the need for compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which calls for a complete cessation of settlement construction. At the same time, we call for the lifting of restrictions that burden the functioning of the Palestinian Authority and Palestinians’ right to a sustainable economy.
