At least 20 countries join EU, UN in opposing Israel’s illegal E1 settlement plan
The UK, Australia and Japan are among 21 countries that have condemned Israel’s plans to build a controversial illegal settlement in the occupied West Bank, which they say renders a future two-state solution for Palestinians impossible.
“We condemn this decision and call for its immediate reversal in the strongest terms,” the 21 countries said in a joint statement on Thursday, describing Israel’s construction plans as a “violation of international law”.
The statement follows news this week that Israel will formally move forward with a settlement on a 12-square-kilometre (4.6-square-mile) tract of land east of Jerusalem known as “East 1” or “E1”.
The development, which will include 3,400 new homes for Israeli settlers, will cut off much of the occupied West Bank from occupied East Jerusalem while also linking up thousands of illegal Israeli settlements in the area.
Poland joins condemnation of Israel’s E1 settlement plan in occupied West Bank
Poland has issued a statement, saying it strongly opposes Israel’s plans to build a controversial illegal settlement known as E1 in the occupied West Bank, calling it a “flagrant breach of international law”.
The statement said that Poland “advocates the two-state solution which implies the peaceful coexistence of Israel and Palestine within the 1967 borders, as confirmed by UN Security Council resolutions”.
The 3,400-home development, which has been met with sweeping international condemnation, will cut off much of the occupied West Bank from occupied East Jerusalem while linking up thousands of illegal Israeli settlements in the area.
More than 20 countries, including the UK, Australia and Japan, released a joint statement on Thursday, condemning the plan, which they say makes a future two-state solution for Palestinians impossible.
