Seven countries condemn Israeli settlement plan in West Bank

Seven nations, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, and Canada, have jointly condemned Israel's decision to tender approximately 1,200 new housing units on the occupied West Bank. In a joint statement, the countries declared the tender "unacceptable" and urged Israel to immediately retract its plans.

The statement highlighted the timing of the decision amid severe instability on the West Bank, characterized by unprecedented levels of settler violence against civilians and significant restrictions on the Palestinian economy. The nations warned that these plans not only move the region further from peace but also further undermine Israel's international standing.

Adding to the international pressure, UN Secretary-General António Guterres separately described the settlement plan as an "existential threat" to the viability of a contiguous Palestinian state. The specific plan involves the construction of around 3,400 new homes in the E1 area, east of Jerusalem, with the Israeli government having opened public tenders for 1,234 of these units in August.

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