America News Agency

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates welcomed the joint statement by the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada and Norway regarding Israel’s settlement plan in the “E1” area of the occupied West Bank.

The ministry called for the international community’s position to be translated into concrete and effective steps.

In a statement, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates said it welcomed the seven countries’ joint stance against the Israeli occupation authorities opening construction tenders under the E1 settlement plan.

The ministry expressed appreciation for the countries’ clear position against illegal settlements, noting that the E1 plan divides the occupied West Bank and weakens its geographic and territorial contiguity. The statement emphasized that this directly threatens the prospects for a two-state solution.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates said the seven countries’ joint position is clearly consistent with the laws, principles and values on which those countries are based, as well as with their legal and moral obligations within the international legal system.

The ministry said the position reflects a clear awareness of the danger posed by Israeli settlements. The statement argued that settlements are intended to create new facts on the ground and that settler violence is also being used as a tool to complement settlement projects that are not internationally recognized or considered legitimate.

The Palestinian side said settlement projects constitute violations and crimes under international consensus and legitimate international resolutions.

The ministry stressed that the seven countries’ joint position on the E1 plan should not remain limited to those countries, but should become a common approach of the entire international community and be backed by practical and effective steps.

The statement said Israeli settlements are among the greatest obstacles to realizing the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and establishing an independent Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital.

The State of Palestine called on all countries to join the seven countries’ joint position, saying efforts should be made to compel Israel to halt all settlement activities, abandon the E1 plan and end its other projects of a colonial nature.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates also welcomed the seven countries’ call on companies not to participate in tenders for settlement construction.

The ministry stressed that all companies and economic actors must comply with obligations arising from international law and refrain from making any direct or indirect contribution to settlements.

Referring to the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, the statement said no aid or assistance should be provided that would help maintain or perpetuate the illegal situation resulting from occupation policies.

The Palestinian ministry also called on the international community to fully implement United Nations Security Council resolutions concerning Israeli settlements.

The statement drew particular attention to Security Council Resolution 2334 and said the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice should also be observed.

The ministry said these legal references should not remain merely in statements but should be translated into concrete steps aimed at ending impunity and ensuring that settlements are accepted neither as a fait accompli nor as a legitimate economic activity.

The State of Palestine reiterated its welcome for the seven countries’ joint stance against the E1 settlement plan and called for this approach to be further broadened and strengthened internationally.

The statement also called for sanctions and various measures against the colonial settlement system.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates emphasized that ending the occupation, halting settlement activities and respecting international law are fundamental conditions for implementing the two-state solution and achieving a just and lasting peace, as well as security and stability in the region.