Finland slams Israeli approval of 22 West Bank settlements

Finland has condemned Israel’s decision to authorise 22 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, calling it a breach of international law.

“We reject the Israeli government's approval of 22 new settlements in the occupied West Bank. Settlements are illegal under international law,” Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen wrote on X.

“Creating deliberate obstacles to the two-state solution is unacceptable and runs counter to international efforts to advance peace,” she added.

The move by Israel has drawn widespread criticism from European states amid rising tensions in the occupied Palestinian territories.