France condemns Israeli recognition of five new West Bank settlements

France “strongly condemns” Israel’s recognition of five new settlements which would see thousands of new homes being built in the occupied West Bank. Israel also declared thousands of hectares of land in the Jordan Valley as state land.

The statement says the moves are “extremely serious” and threaten the stability of the region. 

“Israeli colonization of the Palestinian Territories, including East Jerusalem, constitutes a violation of international law,” said France.

“In addition to being a major obstacle to any just and lasting peace, this policy fuels tensions on the ground as violence perpetrated by settlers increases against the Palestinian population,” it added.