Albanese joins coalition of nations calling for an end to Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank
Australia, alongside the UK, Italy, France, Germany, Canada, Norway, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, has joined a coalition of nations calling for an end to Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank. In a joint statement, these leaders condemned the settlements as illegal under international law and highlighted unprecedented levels of settler violence. They expressed concern that Israeli government policies are undermining stability and the prospects for a two-state solution, specifically mentioning the E1 settlement project as a serious breach of international law. The statement urged businesses not to bid on settlement construction tenders and called on Israel to cease settlement expansion, ensure accountability for settler violence, and lift financial restrictions on the Palestinian Authority.