The United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, France, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand issued a joint statement on Friday condemning Israel for its policies in the West Bank and the rise in settler violence, according to several of the countries’ government websites.
The statement argued that the settlements are “illegal,” saying that “international law is clear.”
The statement added that “construction projects in the E1 area would be no exception,” noting that the project would “divide the West Bank in two.”
The countries warned businesses of “legal and reputational consequences” if they were to join the E1 project, which seeks to add approximately 3,400 housing units to settlements.
The statement called on the Israeli government to “end its expansion of settlements and administrative powers” in the West Bank, further calling for accountability for settler violence.
Additional calls were made to “investigate allegations against Israeli forces, respect the Hashemite custodianship over Jerusalem’s holy sites and the historic status quo arrangements, and lift financial restrictions on the PA and the Palestinian economy.”
Another condemnation was made against “those, including members of the Israeli government, who argue for annexation and forcible displacement of the Palestinian population.”
The statement concluded with an affirmation of the countries’ commitment to a two-state solution “where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace and security within secure and recognized borders.”
