The United Kingdom, alongside Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and several other international partners, has strongly condemned the decision by Israel’s Security Cabinet to approve 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, calling for the move to be immediately reversed.
In a joint statement issued on 24 December 2025, the countries said the expansion of Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory violates international law and poses a serious threat to long-term peace and regional stability.
“A Risk to Peace and Stability”
The statement warned that unilateral settlement expansion not only breaches international legal obligations but also risks fueling further instability. It emphasized that such actions undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts, including broader plans related to Gaza, and jeopardize prospects for lasting peace across the region.
The signatory countries reiterated their clear opposition to any form of annexation and to the continued expansion of settlement policies, including approval of new housing units and strategic settlement areas.
Call to Reverse the Decision
The UK and its partners urged Israel to reverse the settlement approval and halt further expansion, in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, which deems Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory illegal and calls for an end to such activities.
Support for Palestinian Self-Determination
The joint declaration reaffirmed strong support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and underscored a firm commitment to a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace based on the two-state solution.
The statement emphasized that Israel and Palestine should exist side by side as democratic states, within secure and internationally recognized borders, and stressed that there is no alternative to a negotiated two-state solution.
“International Law Must Be Respected”
Concluding the statement, the countries said that respect for international law is essential in the pursuit of sustainable peace and security in the Middle East.