European Union condemns Israel's approval of new West Bank settlements

Kathmandu. The European Union has strongly condemned Israel's recent decision to establish more than 30 new settlements in the occupied West Bank.

In a statement, the EU declared that Israel's expansion violates international law and threatens the long-standing prospects for a two-state solution. The European Union has condemned the Israeli move to expand its occupation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which has been declared illegal by international courts.

The EU has urged Israel to reverse these decisions, fulfill its obligations under international law, and protect Palestinians in the occupied territories.

Meanwhile, the European Union condemned the violence against Palestinian civilians and reiterated that, in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions, a just and lasting peace requires two states, Israel and Palestine, to live side-by-side in peace within secure borders.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also condemned the approval of 34 new settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Friday, stating that the decision violates international law.

The Palestinian government stated that this decision, which the Israeli government made "secretly" in early April, is a clear violation of international law. According to Al Jazeera, there has been no comment from the Israeli government on this matter so far.

Al Jazeera reported that with the settlements approved last Thursday, the total number of settlements approved since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government came to power in 2022 has exceeded 68.