Western nations warn Israel to end illegal settlement expansion, violence

Nine countries including UK, Germany and France warn settlements in occupied West Bank are a ‘breach of international law’.Nine Western countries have urged Israel to stop expanding its settlements in the occupied West Bank, in a joint statement that also condemns settler violence and warns construction companies not to bid for tenders.In a joint statement on Friday, the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Norway and the Netherlands emphasised that such settlements violate international law.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Poll finds nearly three-quarters of Democratic voters oppose aid to Israellist 2 of 4Do aid flotillas make a difference for Palestinians under Israeli blockade?list 3 of 4Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile: Can it be safely transferred?list 4 of 4Israeli attacks kill several in Lebanon, with health workers targetedend of list“Over the past few months, the situation in the West Bank has deteriorated significantly. Settler violence is at unprecedented levels. The policies and practices of the Israeli government, including a further entrenchment of Israeli control, are undermining stability and prospects for a two-state solution,” the statement said.Human rights groups say Israeli authorities have allowed the settlers to operate with total impunity in their attacks against Palestinians.In February, Israel approved a plan to claim large areas of Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank as “state property”.More than 700,000 Israelis live in illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.“international law is clear: Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal. Construction projects in the E1 area would be no exception,” the statement read, adding that development would divide the occupied West Bank in two and mark a serious breach of international law.The plan to build thousands of new housing units in the E1 area, east of occupied East Jerusalem, would link the large and illegal Ma’ale Adumim settlement with Jerusalem, effectively bisecting the West Bank and isolating Palestinian communities. It would also be spread over 12 square kilometres (4.6 square miles).“Businesses should not bid for construction tenders for E1 or other settlement developments. They should be aware of legal and reputational consequences of participating in settlement construction, including the risk of involving themselves in serious breaches of international law,” the statement said.