International Condemnation of West Bank Settlements
The Netherlands has joined 13 other nations in a strong rebuke of Israel's recent decision to approve 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank. A joint declaration, released on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, by countries including Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Malta, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom, explicitly condemned the move by the Israeli security cabinet.
The signatory nations emphasized that such 'unilateral actions, as part of a wider intensification of the settlement policies in the West Bank, not only violate international law but also risk fueling instability.' They further warned that the expansion of settlements could undermine the implementation of the Gaza peace plan and harm the prospects for long-term peace and security across the region.
Details of Israel's Decision and International Law
Israel's security cabinet approved the 19 new settlements on the preceding Sunday. The decision was announced by Israel's far-right Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, who stated that the measure was intended to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state. This latest approval contributes to a broader pattern, with the Israeli government having sanctioned a total of 50 settlements over the past three years, bringing the total number of legalized or approved settlements to 69. According to the anti-settlement watchdog group Peace Now, the total number of settlements in the West Bank now stands at 210.
The international community, including the Netherlands, consistently views Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank as illegal under international law. The joint statement called on Israel to reverse its decision and cease further settlement expansion, aligning with UN Security Council Resolution 2334.
Reactions and Broader Context
In response to the international condemnation, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar strongly rejected the statement, asserting that 'foreign governments have no right to restrict the right of Jews to live in the land of Israel,' and that 'any call to do so is morally wrong and discriminatory toward Jews.'
The West Bank, captured by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War, is home to approximately 3 million Palestinians and around 700,000 Israeli settlers. The Netherlands has maintained a long-standing policy that Israeli settlements and their expansion violate international law. Since 2006, the Dutch government has implemented a discouragement policy regarding economic activities connected to these settlements, and has become more vocal on this issue since July 15, 2025.
6 Comments
Muchacha
While settlement expansion clearly complicates a two-state solution and violates international norms, Israel faces genuine security concerns in the region. Finding a path forward requires acknowledging both realities.
Comandante
Israel has a right to build on its own land. Hypocrisy from these nations!
Africa
Focus on Hamas, not Israeli housing. This is a distraction.
Coccinella
The international community's condemnation is valid under international law, but it often feels like these statements lack teeth. More concrete actions are needed to truly influence policy, otherwise it's just words.
Muchacho
Smotrich is right. Settlements secure the region, not destabilize it.
Leonardo
Condemning settlements is important for upholding international law, but it's hard to see how this specific action will lead to a broader peace agreement. The underlying issues of trust and security are far more complex than just settlement activity.