{"id":15958,"date":"2025-08-15T14:21:08","date_gmt":"2025-08-15T14:21:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/?p=15958"},"modified":"2025-08-15T14:21:08","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T14:21:08","slug":"how-the-world-is-reacting-to-israels-settlement-plan-in-occupied-west-bank-israel-palestine-conflict-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/?p=15958","title":{"rendered":"How the world is reacting to Israel\u2019s settlement plan in occupied West Bank | Israel-Palestine conflict News"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n<\/p>\n

Israel\u2019s announcement that it will illegally build thousands of homes in a highly controversial development in the occupied West Bank \u2013 in a move Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich boasted \u201cburies the idea of a Palestinian state\u201d \u2013 has drawn widespread international condemnation.<\/p>\n

Smotrich announced Thursday that he was pushing ahead with long-frozen plans for the\u00a0 E1 area settlement project that would connect occupied East Jerusalem with the existing illegal Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, located several kilometres to the east.<\/p>\n

The planned settlement, which was shelved for years amid opposition from the United States and European allies, would comprise more than 3,400 homes for Israeli settlers on Palestinian-owned land that experts say is vital for any future territorially contiguous Palestinian state in the West Bank.<\/p>\n

Smotrich said the development was being revived as a response to plans by other countries to recognise a Palestinian state.<\/p>\n

But the response from the rest of the world has been scathing, with governments describing the move as a blatant violation of international law that would fuel regional instability and leave the possibility of a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict in tatters. Here\u2019s an overview of the reactions so far.<\/p>\n

Palestine<\/h2>\n

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesperson for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said the E1 development, in combination with the war in Gaza and escalating settler violence, would only lead to further escalation, tension and instability.<\/p>\n

He said he held the US responsible for halting Israel\u2019s expansionist actions, and noted that the settlement announcement came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had spoken of his vision for a \u201cGreater Israel\u201d.<\/p>\n

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement, called for international intervention to halt the settlement plans.<\/p>\n

It considered the E1 settlement \u201ca continuation of the occupation\u2019s plans to undermine the opportunity to establish the Palestinian state on its homeland, weaken its geographical and demographic unity, entrench the division of the West Bank into isolated areas surrounded by a sea of settlements, and facilitate the completion of their annexation\u201d.<\/p>\n

Qatar<\/h2>\n

Qatar\u2019s Ministry of Foreign Affairs slammed the move, saying it \u201creaffirms Qatar\u2019s unequivocal rejection of the Israeli occupation\u2019s policies aimed at expanding settlements and forcibly displacing Palestinian people, measures intended to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state\u201d.<\/p>\n

Statement | Qatar Condemns Israeli Finance Minister\u2019s Approval of Settlement Plans Separating East Jerusalem from the Occupied West Bank#MOFAQatar<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/5BRIC3didA<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ministry of Foreign Affairs \u2013 Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) August 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Saudi Arabia<\/h2>\n

Saudi Arabia\u2019s Foreign Ministry condemned the settlement plans \u201cin the strongest possible terms\u201d, saying they were a violation of international law and a serious threat to the possibility of a two-state solution.<\/p>\n

In a statement, it called on the international community to \u201cassume its legal and moral responsibilities, protect the Palestinian people, and fulfil their legitimate rights, including recognition of the Palestinian state\u201d.<\/p>\n

Jordan<\/h2>\n

Jordan\u2019s Foreign Ministry condemned the move in the \u201cstrongest terms\u201d. The ministry\u2019s spokesman Sufyan Qudah affirmed his country\u2019s \u201cabsolute rejection and condemnation of this settlement plan and the illegal Israeli measures that constitute a blatant violation of international law and international Security Council resolutions\u201d.<\/p>\n

Qudah warned against the continued expansionist policy of the Israeli government in the occupied West Bank, which the ministry said \u201cencourages the perpetuation of cycles of violence and conflict in the region\u201d.<\/p>\n

Turkiye<\/h2>\n

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said the settlement plan \u201cdisregards international law and United Nations resolutions\u201d and \u201ctargets the territorial integrity of the State of Palestine, the basis for a two-state solution, and hopes for lasting peace\u201d.<\/p>\n

It reaffirmed Turkiye\u2019s support for an independent Palestinian state based on 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.<\/p>\n

United Kingdom<\/h2>\n

British Foreign Minister David Lammy said the plan must be stopped.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe UK strongly opposes the Israeli government\u2019s E1 settlement plans, which would divide a future Palestinian state in two and mark a flagrant breach of international law,\u201d he said in an emailed statement to the Reuters news agency.<\/p>\n

The situation in Gaza is appalling and the Israeli government’s actions are further jeopardising the two-state solution.
@AnitaAnandMP<\/a>, @jnbarrot<\/a> and I discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire, release of all hostages, a flood of aid and a plan to deliver lasting peace.<\/p>\n

\u2014 David Lammy (@DavidLammy) August 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Germany<\/h2>\n

The German government, a strong supporter of Israel, urged Israel to \u201cstop settlement construction\u201d and said it \u201cstrongly rejects\u201d the plan for the new development<\/p>\n

\u201cThe settlement construction violates international law and relevant\u00a0UN Security Council resolutions,\u201d a spokesperson for the Foreign Office in Berlin said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt complicates a negotiated two-state solution and an end to the\u00a0Israeli occupation of the West Bank, as demanded by the International\u00a0Court of Justice,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Spain<\/h2>\n

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares called the expansion plan \u201ca new violation of international law\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt undermines the viability of the two-state solution, the only path to peace,\u201d he said in a social media post.<\/p>\n

(Al Jazeera)<\/p>\n

United Nations<\/h2>\n

The United Nations urged Israel to reverse its decision. \u201cIt would put an end to prospects of a two-state solution,\u201d Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told reporters.<\/p>\n

\u201cSettlements go against international law \u2026 [and] further entrench the occupation.\u201d<\/p>\n

European Union<\/h2>\n

The European Union\u2019s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also slammed the plan as a \u201cbreach of international law\u201d that would further undermine a two-state solution.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf implemented, settlement construction in this area will permanently cut the geographical and territorial contiguity between occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank and sever the connection between the northern and southern West Bank,\u201d said Kallas.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe EU urges Israel to desist from taking this decision forward, noting its far-reaching implications and the need to consider action to protect the viability of the two-state solution.\u201d<\/p>\n

She called on Israel to halt its settlement construction altogether, saying its settlement policy, combined with ongoing settler violence and military operations, were \u201cfuelling an already tense situation on the ground and further eroding any possibility for peace\u201d.<\/p>\n

Organisation of Islamic Cooperation<\/h2>\n

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also denounced the plans, saying the Israeli occupation and settlement expansion were illegal under international law, United Nations resolutions, and the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, and must end immediately.<\/p>\n

The intergovernmental organisation urged the international community to take responsibility, hold Israel accountable, and impose sanctions in line with international law and relevant UN resolutions.<\/p>\n

Israeli human rights group<\/h2>\n

Israeli advocacy group Peace Now warned that the move was \u201cguaranteeing many more years of bloodshed\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe E1 plan is deadly for the future of Israel and for any chance of achieving a peaceful two-state solution,\u201d it said in a statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to the terrible war in Gaza \u2013 the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel \u2013 and it will ultimately come.\u201d<\/p>\n

United States<\/h2>\n

Israel\u2019s key ally, the United States, had no immediate words of criticism for the proposal. Asked about the settlement development, a spokesperson for the US State Department said Washington was focused on ending the war in Gaza and ensuring Hamas will never govern that territory again.<\/p>\n

\u201cA stable West Bank keeps Israel secure and is in line with this administration\u2019s goal to achieve peace in the region,\u201d the spokesperson said, referring to the Israeli government for further information.<\/p>\n