Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, and France jointly issued unusually strong criticism toward the Israeli government on Friday. In a shared statement by the heads of state and government, the four nations observed that violence perpetrated by settlers in the West Bank had reached “an unprecedented scale”. They argued that the policies and actions of the Israeli government, which include further consolidating Israeli control, undermine regional stability and the prospects for a two-state solution.
The declaration firmly asserted that international law is unambiguous: Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal. The four countries stressed that development projects in Area E1 would be no exception, calling the expansion of settlement development in this specific area a “serious breach of international law” that would effectively divide the West Bank.
The nations went further in their condemnation, advising that businesses should refrain from participating in construction tenders for Area E1 or any other projects related to settlement expansion. The official statement warned these companies about the legal repercussions, as well as potential reputational damage, noting that involvement in settlement construction carries the risk of participating in serious violations of international law.
The governments also issued a list of demands for Israel. They called upon the Israeli government to halt the expansion of settlements and their administrative powers, ensure accountability for acts of violence committed by settlers, and investigate accusations against Israeli armed forces. Furthermore, they insisted that Israel must respect the Hashemite custodianship over Jerusalem’s holy sites and the historical status quo arrangements, while also lifting the financial restrictions imposed on the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian economy. The shared declaration concluded by firmly opposing those-including members of the Israeli government-who advocate for the annexation of the West Bank or the violent displacement of the Palestinian population.
