In a statement by the Spanish Foreign Minister, to which a total of 20 countries subscribe, the signatories criticized the decision of the Israeli Higher Planning Committee to approve plans for the construction of settlements in the E1 area, east of Jerusalem.

“We condemn this decision and ask for its immediate revocation in the strongest terms,” they said.

When addressing the subject, they indicated that “Minister Smotrich says this plan will make a two-state solution impossible by dividing any Palestinian state and restricting Palestinian access to Jerusalem”.

“This brings no benefit to the Israeli people. On the contrary, it risks undermining security and fuels more violence and instability, further away from peace,” the text said.

He added that the Government of Israel still has an opportunity to prevent the E1 plan from proceeding.

“The unilateral action of the Israeli Government undermines our collective desire for security and prosperity in the Middle East.

The Israeli Government must stop the construction of settlements in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 2334 and remove restrictions on the finances of the Palestinian Authority”, concludes the note

This communiqué was signed by the foreign ministers of Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Slovenia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, the Netherlands, Portugal and the United Kingdom.

It was also signed by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs.

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