UN, Turkiye, UK, EU condemn Israel's West Bank settlement plan
Published: Aug 15, 2025 8:40 AM
Updated: 10:40 AM
The United Nations, Turkiye, the United Kingdom, and the European Union condemned Israel’s approval of plans to build thousands of settler units in the occupied West Bank.
They warned that the move violates international law and further undermines the two-state solution.
UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres, through a statement by his spokesperson’s office, stressed that Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are “in violation of international law”.
He said construction in the E1 area would “sever the northern and southern West Bank, severely undermining the prospects for a viable, contiguous Palestinian state”.
Guterres (above) called on Israeli authorities to immediately halt the process, reiterating his call for Israel to cease all settlement activities “pursuant to its obligations under international law and as reaffirmed by the International Court of Justice in its Advisory Opinion of 19 July 2024”.
The Turkiye Foreign Ministry also condemned the move, describing it as a step that disregards international law and UN resolutions, while targeting the territorial integrity of Palestine.
The ministry reaffirmed Ankara’s support for the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
In London, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the Israeli government’s actions were “further jeopardising the two-state solution” and urged an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, an increase in humanitarian aid and a plan for lasting peace.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas echoed the condemnation, urging Israel to halt settlement construction.
She warned that the decision breaches international law and, if implemented, would “permanently cut the geographical and territorial contiguity between occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank.”
She stressed that unilateral actions, combined with settler violence and military operations, were fuelling tensions and eroding the possibility for peace, adding that the EU was considering action to protect the viability of the two-state solution.
Israeli media reported on Thursday that Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich had approved the construction of 3,401 settler units in Ma’ale Adumim, east of Jerusalem, and an additional 3,515 units in surrounding areas.
The project, in the E1 corridor, would effectively split the West Bank into northern and southern parts, isolating East Jerusalem.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry denounced the plan as part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s vision for “Greater Israel”, saying it would entrench the occupation and destroy the viability of a Palestinian state.
- Bernama
If Bloodymir Rasputin gets to keep “occupied territory” Donbas as a result of war against Ukraine why Isaac cannot keep “occupied Judea and Samaria” as a result of war?
ReplyDeleteFor Palestinians It is better that Bibi remain as PM. Because his replacement will be worse for them more right wing.
ReplyDeletemfer do u realize now that WHY all those zionist fart kept using Sudan as a mirror?
ReplyDeleteThe zionists have concocted a plan to move ALL the Palestinians to Sudan. They want the whole of Gaza Strip & WestBank for their mfering zionist state!