European Countries Condemn Israel's Step to Expand its Control on the West Bank

European countries condemned the latest measures adopted by Israel that deepen its control over the occupied West Bank.

The European Union along with France, Germany, Britain, Spain and Belgium deplored the Israeli security cabinet's approval on Sunday of measures aimed at changing the legal and civil framework in the territory to strengthen Israeli control.

The decisions include revoking laws banning the sale of land in the West Bank to private Israeli individuals, opening land ownership records, and transferring authority for building permits in a settlement block near Hebron from the Palestinian municipality to the Israeli civil administration, according to Israeli media.

"The European Union condemns the latest decision by the Israeli security cabinet to expand Israeli control in the West Bank. This step is another step in the wrong direction while the entire international community is trying to implement the second phase of a comprehensive plan for Gaza," said spokesman Anouar El Anouni at a European Commission press conference, reported Anadolu (11/2).

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry told Anadolu that the announcement "violates Israel's obligations under international law and is a further obstacle in the effort to reach a two-state solution."

"The UK has made it clear: any unilateral attempt to change the geographical or demographic make-up of Palestine is completely unacceptable and not in accordance with international law. We call on Israel to immediately reverse this decision," a spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that Israel's decision to change the status quo in the West Bank and undermine the territorial and political unity of the Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, while urging Tel Aviv to comply with its obligations.

Meanwhile, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs said "at a time when international efforts are focused on the implementation of the second phase of the Gaza peace plan, this decision undermines ongoing peace efforts and risks triggering tensions," stressing that the measures are a "serious blow to the two-state solution."

The Swiss Foreign Ministry said on the platform of the US social media company, X, that they strongly condemned the measures recently approved, and stressed that "Israeli settlement activity is illegal under international law."

"I condemn Israel's recent decision to expand its control over the occupied West Bank," Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said on X, adding that the measures "contradict international law, UN Security Council Resolution 2334, and the opinion of the International Court of Justice."

Meanwhile, Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel urged Israel not to implement its latest decisions, which "increase tensions at a time of unprecedented international efforts for peace and stability in the region."