International positions "strongly" oppose "Israeli" plans to expand settlements
After the so-called "Israel Lands Administration" announced its decision to build about 1,300 new settlement units in different areas of the West Bank, many international positions were issued opposing this decision.
The United Nations expressed concern about the “Israeli” announcement, saying that “all settlements are illegal under international law.”
In a previous report to the UN Human Rights Council, UN expert Michael Lynk concluded that “Israeli” settlements amount to a war crime. And in 2016, the United Nations Security Council condemned the settlements in a resolution that said they had "no legal validity."
The European Union also expressed its opposition to the "Israeli" decision, where the European Union spokesperson declared, "Settlements are illegal under international law and constitute a major obstacle to achieving a two-state solution and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace between the two parties."
He added in a statement that the European Union has always stressed that it will not recognize any changes to the pre-1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed upon by the parties.
He also called on the “Israeli” government to stop building settlements and not to proceed with the announced bids.
Among the most prominent opposition positions was that of the United States of America, which rarely criticizes the “Israeli” government, as the Biden administration expressed its opposition to “Israeli” plans to expand settlements in the West Bank, saying that it harms "the prospects for a two-state solution."
The department of State spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement: “We are deeply concerned about the 'Israeli' government’s plan to advance thousands of settlement units many of them deep in the West Bank.”
He added: “In addition, we’re concerned about the publication of tenders for 1,300 settlement units in a number of West Bank settlements. We strongly oppose the expansion of settlements, which is completely inconsistent with efforts to lower tensions and to ensure calm.”
"We also consider that all efforts to legalize illegal settlements with retroactive effect are unacceptable," Price added, stressing that high-ranking US officials had previously informed their ‘Israeli’ counterparts of these positions directly.
For its part, Germany criticized the continued "Israeli" settlement expansion in the territories under Palestinian control and occupied Jerusalem, considering it an obstacle to the two-state solution.
"Very concerned by 'Israeli' publication of tenders for the construction of more than 1,300 housing units in settlements in the West Bank. Settlements are contrary to international law and a substantial obstacle to peace and a two-state solution. They should stop." Tweeted Christian Buck, the Director for Near and Middle East and North Africa at the German Foreign Ministry.
For its part, France condemned the announcement of the “Israeli” authorities to publish several invitations to submit bids to allow the construction of more than 1,300 housing units in West Bank settlements.
The French Foreign Ministry spokeswoman announced that France condemns this illegal measure and calls for an end to any unilateral measure that calls into question the two-state solution on the basis of internationally agreed criteria, stressing that only this is capable of achieving a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the region.