A group of fourteen countries has issued a joint statement formally condemning Israel's continued expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank. The diplomatic rebuke comes amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and highlights persistent international concern over policies seen as undermining the prospects for a future two-state solution.
International Diplomatic Condemnation
The collective statement, released by the foreign ministries of the fourteen nations, represents a significant coordinated diplomatic move. While the statement did not specify potential consequences, its unified nature underscores growing frustration with Israeli settlement activity, which is considered illegal under international law by most of the global community. The condemnation frames the settlements as a major obstacle to peace and stability in the region.
Settler Population Reaches New High
The criticism aligns with recent data showing a steady increase in the Israeli settler population within the West Bank. A report released in February 2024 by the pro-settler group WestBankJewishPopulationStats.com found the number of settlers grew nearly 3% over the course of 2023.
According to the report, which was based on official Israeli government population statistics, the settler population jumped to 517,407 as of December 31, 2023, up from 502,991 a year earlier. This growth occurs through both natural increase and the construction of new housing units, like those seen in settlements such as Givat Ze'ev.
Context of the Israel-Hamas War
This international condemnation occurs against the backdrop of the devastating war between Israel and Hamas, which began with the militant group's attacks on October 7, 2023. The conflict has drawn global attention to the broader Israeli-Palestinian issue. Critics argue that settlement expansion, even during a war focused on Gaza, further complicates the long-term geopolitical landscape and the viability of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.
The statement from the fourteen countries serves to remind that, despite the immediate crisis in Gaza, the issue of West Bank settlements remains a core and contentious element of the conflict for many in the international community. The diplomatic pressure highlights the challenging path ahead for any post-war political process.
