The international community, led by the United Nations and Germany, has sharply criticized the Israeli government’s recent announcement to expand settlements in the West Bank. Officials describe the plan as a deliberate effort to undermine the viability of a future Palestinian state by fragmenting territorial contiguity and complicating efforts towards a two-state solution. The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process emphasized that such moves violate international law, specifically referencing UN Security Council resolutions that call for a halt to settlement expansions. Germany echoed these concerns, labeling the initiative as “illegal” and a profound threat to regional stability.

Key aspects of the condemnation include:

  • Violation of International Law: Settlement activity breaches the Fourth Geneva Convention prohibiting the transfer of an occupier’s civilian…