The UK, Australia and Japan are amongst 21 international locations which have condemned Israel’s plans to construct a controversial unlawful settlement within the occupied West Financial institution, which they are saying renders a future two-state resolution for Palestinians unimaginable.
“We condemn this resolution and name for its instant reversal within the strongest phrases,” the 21 international locations mentioned in a joint assertion on Thursday, describing Israel’s building plans as a “violation of worldwide regulation”.
The assertion follows information this week that Israel will formally transfer ahead 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 event, which can embrace 3,400 new houses for Israeli settlers, will reduce off a lot of the occupied West Financial institution from occupied East Jerusalem whereas additionally linking up 1000’s of unlawful Israeli settlements within the space.
East Jerusalem carries specific significance to Palestinians because the best choice for the capital of a future Palestinian state.
The group of 21 nations mentioned any plans for a two-state resolution will turn out to be unimaginable “by dividing any Palestinian state and proscribing Palestinian entry to Jerusalem”.
The group contains Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Eire, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
Tánaiste @SimonHarrisTD has joined 21 counterparts from Europe and globally in condemning plans for settlement building within the E1 space of the West Financial institution. These plans are a violation of worldwide regulation & a basic menace to the two-state resolution – they should be reversed. pic.twitter.com/FTmIbDZbEv
— Irish Overseas Ministry (@dfatirl) August 21, 2025
The unlawful settlement additionally “dangers undermining safety and fuels additional violence and instability, taking us additional away from peace”, the group mentioned, whereas bringing “no advantages to the Israeli individuals”.
The Palestinian Authority, the European Fee and United Nations chief Antonio Guterres have all voiced opposition to plans for the E1 settlement since Israel first announced the information final week.
“Coupled with ongoing settler violence and navy operations, these unilateral selections are fuelling an already tense state of affairs on the bottom and additional eroding any chance for peace,” the European Union mentioned in an announcement on August 14.
Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich mentioned settlements reminiscent of E1 will assist erase Palestine from the map, at the same time as Palestinian statehood beneficial properties growing worldwide recognition from UN member states.
“This actuality lastly buries the concept of a Palestinian state, as a result of there may be nothing to recognise and nobody to recognise,” Smotrich mentioned final week.
