Western nations urge Israel to stop West Bank settlements and violence

Nine Western nations, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Norway, issued a joint statement on Friday calling on Israel to halt the expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank and take action against rising settler violence. The statement warned that Israeli policies and practices, including increased settlement construction and administrative control, are undermining stability and the prospects for a negotiated two-state solution.

The countries specifically condemned a proposed development in the area known as E1, a 12-square-kilometer zone between East Jerusalem and the Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim. They said the project would divide the West Bank into northern and southern sections and constitute a serious breach of international law. The statement noted that international law considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal.

The joint statement called on the Israeli government to end settlement expansion, ensure accountability for settler violence, and investigate allegations involving Israeli forces. It also urged Israel to respect longstanding arrangements governing Jerusalem’s holy...