UK warns ‘Israeli’ settlement push threatens two-state solution
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- United Kingdom condemns approval of 19 new ‘Israeli’ settlements in the West Bank.
- UK says expansion undermines peace prospects and violates international law.
United Kingdom has condemned the ‘Israeli’ government’s approval of plans to establish 19 new settlements in the West Bank, warning that the move threatens prospects for peace and further erodes the viability of a two-state solution.
In a statement posted on the X, UK Minister of State for the Middle East Hamish Falconer said London “condemns the ‘Israeli’ government’s plan to establish 19 new settlements in Palestine,” stressing that the settlements are illegal under international law.
Read more: 'Israel' moves to establish 19 new settlements in West Bank
Threat to peace efforts
Falconer said the decision jeopardizes efforts to reach a sustainable political settlement, including ongoing initiatives related to Gaza.
“This undermines peace efforts and extinguishes hopes for lasting peace and security, which can only be achieved through a two-state solution,” he said.
Approval by ‘Israeli’ cabinet
The condemnation followed a decision by the ‘Israeli’ security cabinet on Sunday to approve 19 new settlement projects. The plans were put forward by far-right 'Israeli' Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and 'Israeli' Defense Minister Israel Katz.
Read more: New ‘Israeli’ law sparks alarm over Aqsa Mosque status quo
Settlements and demographic impact
An estimated 750,000 ‘Israeli’ settlers currently live in hundreds of settlements across the West Bank, including about 250,000 in East Jerusalem. Palestinian officials say settlers carry out near-daily attacks against Palestinian communities, often under military protection, in an effort to forcibly displace residents.
The United Nations and much of the international community have long considered ‘Israeli’ settlements in occupied territory to be illegal under international law, a position repeatedly rejected by ‘Israel’.
Escalation since 'Israeli' war on Gaza
Palestinian authorities say settlement expansion has accelerated since the start of the war on Gaza on October 8, 2023, alongside home demolitions and forced displacement aimed at consolidating control over the West Bank.
They warn that any formal annexation of the West Bank by ‘Israel’ would effectively end the possibility of implementing the two-state solution endorsed by multiple UN resolutions.
Since the escalation began, at least 1,102 Palestinians have been killed, nearly 11,000 wounded, and more than 21,000 detained across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
In Gaza, genocidal crimes have left about 71,000 Palestinians killed and more than 171,000 wounded, most of them women and children, alongside widespread destruction. The United Nations estimates the cost of reconstruction at roughly USD 70 billion.
