Ireland joins countries condemning Israeli settlements

Ireland is one of 14 countries to condemn Israel's decision to back the creation of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank. A truck near an abandoned Jewish settlement in the West Bank, in preparation for the return of Jewish settlers following the Israeli government's approval of their return In a joint statement, the allies, including the UK, France and Germany, said the actions of the Israeli security cabinet "violate international law but also risk fuelling instability". Israel's support for settlements in the West Bank, part of the territory occupied after the 1967 war, is seen as undermining the prospects of a two-state solution as the land is intended to form a key part of a Palestinian state. A joint statement condemning the new settlements has been signed by Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee. I, along with 13 counterparts have condemned the approval by the Israeli security cabinet of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank - Helen McEntee TD (@HMcEntee) https://t.co/1qadMNLKwe December 24, 2025 It was also signed by Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway and Spain, said: "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 fuelling instability." They warned the step risks undermining the plan to end the war in Gaza, "harming prospects for long-term peace and security across the region". "We are resolute in our support of Palestinians' right of self-determination," the governments said. "We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace and security within secure and recognised borders. "We reaffirm that there is no alternative to a negotiated two-state solution."

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