On 21 December, 14 countries—including the UK, France, Germany, Spain and Canada—urged Israel to withdraw its settlement approvals in the West Bank, while Israeli officials defended the moves as security measures.
Israel Accuses 14 States of Discrimination
Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Saar, argued that foreign governments must not restrict Jews’ right to live on Israeli territory, calling such calls “morally wrong and discriminatory.” He added that approving 11 new settlements and officially ratifying eight existing ones would enhance Israel’s security.
Netanyahu’s Government Cites the Balfour Letter
The administration justifies settlement expansion by invoking the 1917 Balfour Declaration—originally a British Foreign‑Office letter endorsing a Jewish national home in Palestine. Israel claims it acts under this declaration, while the U.N. resolution 2334 of 2016 calls such actions a grave breach of international law.
Settlement Approvals Announced on 21 December
Finance minister Bezalel Smotrich announced that the government had given a green light for investments in new settlements, saying the move would prevent the creation of a Palestinian state. The decision follows the approval of 11 new settlements and the official ratification of eight existing ones.
International Response and Calls for Withdrawal
The UK, France, Germany, Spain, Canada and the United Nations urged Israel to cancel its settlement plans, warning that unilateral actions violate international law and could jeopardise the Gaza ceasefire that has been in place since 10 October.
Plans for the E1 Zone and a Large‑Scale Wall
Israel intends to develop the E1 zone—a 12‑km² area adjacent to the Israeli settlement of Ma’alot Adummim and to East Jerusalem. The government also plans a wall that would surround East Jerusalem and split the Palestinian area in half, effectively annexing all settlements.
Half a Century of Occupation
Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, with over 500,000 Israeli settlers and approximately three million Palestinians living there. The United Nations notes that settlement construction—deemed illegal under international law—has accelerated since 2017, accompanied by continual violent incidents against Palestinians.
