UN, EU Condemn Israeli Plans to Legalize Settlement Outposts in West Bank

The United Nations and the European Union (EU) have strongly criticized the recent announcement by Israel’s far-right government to legalize five settlement outposts in the occupied West Bank and to issue tenders for thousands of housing units in the area, which are considered illegal.

On Saturday, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, expressed his deep concern over the decision in a post on his official X account. He stated that such actions, along with other measures that weaken the Palestinian Authority and promote settlement expansion in the West Bank, increase tensions and reduce the chances of achieving a negotiated peace based on a two-state solution. Wennesland emphasized that settlements are a clear violation of international law and UN resolutions.

The European Union also condemned the decision made by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to legalize the five settlement outposts. EU spokesperson Peter Stano described the move as a deliberate attempt to undermine peace efforts. During this week’s European Council meeting, EU leaders criticized the Israeli cabinet’s decision to expand illegal settlements in the West Bank and called on Israel to reverse these decisions immediately.

Stano reiterated that the EU, in line with its long-standing position and UN Security Council resolutions, will not recognize any changes to the 1967 borders unless agreed upon by the involved parties. He also called on Israel to stop actions that weaken the Palestinian Authority, release withheld clearance revenues, and ensure that banking services between Israeli and Palestinian banks continue.

Germany also condemned Israel’s decision to legalize the settlement outposts, with German Foreign Ministry spokesman Sebastian Fischer stating that the move violates international law and endangers peace and security in the region. Fischer urged the Israeli government to reverse its decisions immediately.

Egypt and Jordan joined in condemning the legalization of the settlement outposts and the approval of new housing units in the West Bank. On Thursday evening, Smotrich announced that the Security Cabinet had authorized one outpost for every country that had recently recognized Palestine as a state. Last month, Spain, Ireland, and Norway formally recognized the Palestinian state, joining over 140 UN member states that have done so over the past four decades. Slovenia and Malta have also indicated plans to recognize Palestine.

The five settlement outposts in question are Evyatar, Givat Assaf, Sde Efraim, Heletz, and Adorayim. More than 600,000 Israelis live in over 230 settlements built since Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem in 1967. The international community considers these settlements illegal under international law and the Geneva Conventions because they are built on occupied territories.

Palestinians seek the West Bank as part of a future independent state, with East Jerusalem as its capital.