The UK, Australia and Japan are amongst 21 international locations which have condemned Israel’s plans to construct a controversial unlawful settlement within the occupied West Financial institution, which they are saying renders a future two-state resolution for Palestinians not possible.
“We condemn this determination and name for its instant reversal within the strongest phrases,” the 21 international locations stated in a joint assertion on Thursday, describing Israel’s building plans as a “violation of worldwide legislation”.
The assertion follows information this week that Israel will formally transfer ahead with a settlement on a 12-square-kilometre (4.6-square-mile) tract of land east of Jerusalem referred to as “East 1” or “E1”.
The event, which is able to embody 3,400 new properties for Israeli settlers, will lower off a lot of the occupied West Financial institution from occupied East Jerusalem whereas additionally linking up 1000’s of unlawful Israeli settlements within the space.
East Jerusalem carries explicit significance to Palestinians because the best choice for the capital of a future Palestinian state.
The group of 21 nations stated any plans for a two-state resolution will turn into not possible “by dividing any Palestinian state and proscribing Palestinian entry to Jerusalem”.
The group contains Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Eire, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
Tánaiste @SimonHarrisTD has joined 21 counterparts from Europe and globally in condemning plans for settlement building within the E1 space of the West Financial institution. These plans are a violation of worldwide legislation & a elementary menace to the two-state resolution – they should be reversed. pic.twitter.com/FTmIbDZbEv
— Irish International Ministry (@dfatirl) August 21, 2025
The unlawful settlement additionally “dangers undermining safety and fuels additional violence and instability, taking us additional away from peace”, the group stated, whereas bringing “no advantages to the Israeli folks”.
The Palestinian Authority, the European Fee and United Nations chief Antonio Guterres have all voiced opposition to plans for the E1 settlement since Israel first introduced the information final week.
“Coupled with ongoing settler violence and army operations, these unilateral selections are fuelling an already tense scenario on the bottom and additional eroding any risk for peace,” the European Union stated in a press release on August 14.
Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated settlements equivalent to E1 will assist erase Palestine from the map, whilst Palestinian statehood good points rising worldwide recognition from UN member states.
“This actuality lastly buries the thought of a Palestinian state, as a result of there may be nothing to recognise and nobody to recognise,” Smotrich stated final week.
