Seven countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, have issued a joint statement expressing concern over the worsening situation in the West Bank, warning that Israeli settlement expansion and settler violence are undermining prospects for a two-state solution.
The statement, issued on Friday by the leaders of Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, said settler violence in the West Bank had reached “unprecedented levels” in recent months.
The countries reiterated that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are considered illegal under international law and warned that proposed construction projects in the E1 area could effectively divide the West Bank in two.
They described the planned expansion as a “serious breach of international law.”
The joint statement also urged businesses not to engage in settlement-related construction projects, cautioning that such involvement could carry legal and reputational risks.
The seven nations called on the Israeli government to halt settlement expansion, ensure accountability for settler violence, investigate allegations involving Israeli forces, and ease financial restrictions imposed on the Palestinian Authority.
They further reaffirmed their support for a negotiated two-state solution based on relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, with Israel and Palestine existing side by side in peace and security.