A group of Western governments issued a joint declaration on Wednesday condemning Israel’s approval of additional communities in Judea and Samaria, warning that the move could heighten regional tensions and undermine diplomatic efforts.
The statement, signed by Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom, characterized the decision as a unilateral step. It asserted that such actions “not only violate international law but also risk fueling instability.”
According to the signatories, the move could weaken “the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan for Gaza amid efforts to progress to phase 2” and damage “prospects for long term peace and security across the region.” The countries reiterated their opposition “to any form of annexation and to the expansion of settlement policies,” specifically citing “the approval of the E1 settlement and thousands of new housing units.”
The statement further urged Israel “to reverse this decision, as well as the expansion of settlements,” referencing UN Security Council Resolution 2334. It also voiced backing for “Palestinians’ right of self-determination” and reaffirmed an “unwavering commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the Two-State solution,” concluding that “there is no alternative to a negotiated two-state solution.”
Responding sharply, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar rejected the criticism, saying, “Israel strongly rejects the statement issued by foreign countries regarding the Cabinet decision on settlements in Judea and Samaria.”
Sa’ar argued that the objections amounted to unfair treatment of Jews, declaring, “Foreign governments will not restrict the right of Jews to live in the Land of Israel, and any such call is morally wrong and discriminatory against Jews.”
He explained that the government’s move was driven in part by security considerations, stating, “The Cabinet decision to establish 11 new settlements and to formalize eight additional settlements is intended, among other things, to help address the security threats Israel is facing. All of the settlements are located in Area C and are situated on state land.”
Addressing the legal dimension, Sa’ar said, “Israel acts in accordance with International Law. The incorporation of the 1917 Balfour Declaration into the Mandate was explicitly agreed upon at the San Remo Conference in 1920. According to the Mandate, the right of the Jewish people to establish its national home extends over the entire territory of ‘Mandatory Palestine.’ These rights were preserved in Article 80 of the Charter of the United Nations.”
He concluded by criticizing what he described as selective outrage, adding, “In the aforementioned statement, the blatant silence of foreign states regarding the Palestinian Authority’s illegal construction in Area C is extremely striking.”
{Matzav.com}
Why you crying about these 14 countries who don’t want Jews living in parts of Israel. Israel itself does not allow Jews to live all over Israel. They kicked out 9000 Jews from gush katif and gave it to the gazan Arabs. Then when these leftist who were killed and kidnapped by the very gazans who they helped want us to say tehillim and help them. I admire Satmar for not joining in the street event of public gathering in Boro park on 14 ave back then. They realize who these tziyonim are. They are worse than the nazis. The Nazis only killed Jews physically but the Zionist kill Jews spiritually. Thats worse according to the Rambam.