Israel must halt the expansion of settlements in the West Bank and curb growing settler violence, seven major Western nations stated on Friday. They accused the Israeli government of aggravating tensions in the region.
“Over the past few months, the situation in the West Bank has deteriorated significantly,” Britain, Italy, France, Germany, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand said in a joint statement.
Settler violence is at unprecedented levels. The policies and practices of the Israeli government, including further entrenchment of Israeli control, are undermining stability and prospects for a two-state solution.
The Israeli government did not immediately comment on the statement.
This underscores growing anger in many Western countries over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, which has expanded settlements in the occupied West Bank. This move, diplomats say, is aimed at burying the idea of a Palestinian state.
The statement called on Netanyahu’s coalition to hold settlers accountable for violence against Palestinian residents and investigate allegations of abuse by Israeli forces.
The seven nations also said historic status quo arrangements governing the holy sites in Jerusalem had to be upheld and financial restrictions on the Palestinian economy lifted.
They called on Israel to halt its controversial E1 settlement project, which would slice through land that Palestinians seek for a state. Construction there would “mark a serious breach of international law.”
The statement warned companies not to bid for construction tenders in E1 or any other settlement developments and urged them to be aware of legal and reputational consequences of participating in settlement construction.