21 countries oppose Israeli settlements in the West Bank

Agence France-Presse (AFP) also reported that 27 countries have urged Israel to immediately allow foreign media access to the Gaza Strip.

France’s Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday that the Israeli cabinet’s approval of settlement construction in the West Bank is unacceptable and constitutes a violation of international law.

On Wednesday, Israel approved a plan to build settlements in the E1 area east of Jerusalem, aiming to “undermine the territorial continuity of the West Bank” and impede the establishment of a Palestinian state.

The plan was approved by Israel’s settlement committee, chaired by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Implementation of this plan, which would completely separate northern West Bank from its southern part, will create 3,400 new housing units for Israelis.