Israel’s approval of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank has drawn strong criticism from a group of 14 countries, including Britain, Canada, Denmark and France. In a joint statement, the governments described the decision as illegal under international law and warned that it could undermine both the Gaza ceasefire and long-term stability in the region.
The statement was signed by Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and the United Kingdom. The countries reaffirmed their opposition to any expansion of settlements or annexation of occupied territory and urged Israel to reverse the decision and halt further construction.
Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich confirmed the approval on Sunday, saying the move was intended to prevent the establishment of a future Palestinian state. Smotrich, a leading figure in Israel’s far-right political bloc, also said the government has approved or retroactively legalized 69 settlements since taking office at the end of 2022.
The decision comes at a sensitive time as international mediators continue efforts to implement the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire. Diplomats have warned that settlement expansion could erode trust between the parties and complicate negotiations aimed at maintaining the truce.
International and UN Concerns Over Settlement Expansion
Earlier this month, the United Nations reported that Israeli settlement activity in occupied Palestinian territory has reached its highest level since at least 2017. The UN maintains that all settlements in the occupied West Bank are illegal under international law and remain one of the biggest obstacles to a negotiated peace.
According to analysts, many of the newly approved settlements are concentrated in the northeastern West Bank, an area that previously saw limited settlement activity. Observers say this geographic shift is altering realities on the ground for Palestinian communities.
Al Jazeera correspondent Nour Odeh noted that while the approvals may appear bureaucratic, they are strategically significant. She said the decisions strengthen ideological settler groups and increase pressure on Palestinian land, raising concerns about rising tensions and long-term consequences for peace efforts.
In their statement, the 14 countries reiterated their support for Palestinian self-determination and emphasized that a lasting peace must be based on the Two-State solution. They warned that continued settlement expansion further fragments Palestinian territory, making it increasingly difficult to achieve a viable and peaceful resolution.