Plans for 19 new Israeli settlements condemned by UK

Israeli plans to build 19 new settlements in the Occupied West Bank have been condemned by the British government, as reported by the Middle East Eye and agencies on December 22nd.

In a post on X, British Minister for the Middle East, Hamish Falconer, stated that “The UK condemns the Israeli government’s approval of 19 new settlements in Palestine. These are illegal under international law.”

He added, “This risks undermining the [20-point plan] and prospects for the long-term peace and security that only a two-state solution can deliver.”

An estimated 700,000 Israelis currently reside in settlements across the West Bank and Occupied Jerusalem, with the number being expected to grow amid Israeli plans to annex much of the territory and build over 3,400 housing units for settlers.

On December 10th, it was reported that plans to build 764 housing units across three settlements were approved by the Israeli government. The annexation of the West Bank and expansion of settlements would make the possibility of a Palestinian state practically impossible, as it would sever East Jerusalem from Palestinian territory.

However, Falconer’s condemnation of Israeli settlement expansion on the basis that it breaks international law could be perceived as contradictory due to his support for the British export of arms to Israel during the nation’s genocidal war on Gaza.

Although a partial suspension of arms exports to Israel was announced by the British government in September 2024, reports suggest that arms exports from the UK to Israel continued despite the embargo.

However, UK-made components of F-35 fighter jets were exempt from the ban, despite these components making up to 15% of each aircraft, which Israel has used extensively in its war on Gaza.

Falconer similarly faced backlash after he acknowledged that products made in Israeli settlements were being sold in the UK, but insisted it was up to individual businesses to decide whether to sell them.

In September, Falconer was accused by other Labour Party members of suggesting that genocide had not yet occurred in Gaza, by purportedly distorting the findings of a UN report to suggest that Gaza just faced a “risk of genocide.”

Furthermore, Declassified UK found that the Foreign Office granted special immunity to Israeli air force commander Tomer Bar who was visiting Britain, despite concerns about complicity in crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Middle East Eye and agencies, Declassified UK, Maghrebi.org